The Golden State Warriors fully intend to extend Steph Curry as soon as he becomes eligible later this summer, and the money the two-time MVP can command is staggering.
Curry turned 38 years old in March and has one year remaining on his current contract, which pays him.
*“Curry becomes contract extension-eligible at the end of August and the Warriors are confident — no matter how their offseason retooling turns out — that they will strike a deal that sets Curry up to retire as a Warrior. Golden State can present a two-year extension worth nearly $140 million … similar to the extension Jaylen Brown can command starting late in July from Boston.”*
Let that sink in.
And the Warriors are ready to pay it.
Not because they have to. Not because Curry is demanding it. But because he’s Stephen Curry. Because he’s the greatest shooter of all time. Because he’s the face of the franchise. Because he’s the reason the Warriors became a dynasty.
Let’s break down what this extension means, why the Warriors are so confident, and whether Curry might actually take less to help the team build around him.
The Curry Season: Still Elite at 38
Let’s start with what Curry just did.
In his 17th NBA season, at age 38, Curry earned his 12th All-Star selection. He averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. He shot nearly 47% from the field and better than 39% from three-point range.
Those are not “good for his age” numbers. Those are All-NBA numbers. Those are top-15-in-the-league numbers.
Curry is still elite. He’s not slowing down. He’s not showing signs of decline.
That’s why the Warriors are willing to pay him $70 million per season. He’s worth it.
The Contract: Two Years, Nearly $140 Million
Let’s talk about the numbers.
Curry is eligible for a two-year extension starting at the end of August. The Warriors can offer him nearly 140millionovertwoseasons.That′sanaverageannualvalueof140millionovertwoseasons.That′sanaverageannualvalueof70 million.
For context, the highest single-season salary in NBA history is currently around $62 million. Curry would blow that out of the water.
The extension would keep Curry in Golden State through the 2028-29 season, when he’ll be 41 years old.
That’s a commitment. That’s a belief that Curry can still be elite at 40.
The Jaylen Brown Comparison: A Similar Contract Structure
Let’s look at the comparison Stein made.
Jaylen Brown can command a similar two-year extension worth nearly $140 million starting in late July. Brown is 29 years old. He’s in his prime. He just averaged 28.7 points per game.
The fact that Curry – at 38 – can command the same money as Brown tells you everything you need to know about how the Warriors value him.
It’s not about age. It’s about impact. It’s about legacy. It’s about what Curry means to Golden State.
The Mike Dunleavy Quote: “I Don’t See, Under Any Scenario, Where We Don’t Want to Figure Out a Way to Have Him Finish Here”
Let’s go to the general manager.
Mike Dunleavy spoke to reporters after the Steve Kerr extension was announced. He was unequivocal about Curry’s future.
“I’m sure those conversations [will] happen and you can predict where they’ll be going. I don’t see, under any scenario, where we don’t want to figure out a way to have him finish here.”
That’s not hedging. That’s not “we’ll see what happens.” That’s a commitment.
The Warriors want Curry to retire in Golden State. They will do whatever it takes to make that happen.
The Kerr Connection: A Coach Committed to Curry
Let’s talk about Steve Kerr.
Kerr just signed a two-year extension to remain the Warriors’ head coach. He has stated his intention to remain with Curry in the Bay Area until Curry’s retirement.
Kerr’s return is an indirect commitment to bringing Curry back. Kerr doesn’t want to coach any other superstar. He wants to coach Curry.
That alignment between coach and superstar is rare. It’s valuable. And it’s another reason the Warriors are confident they’ll get a deal done.
The LeBron Question: Could a Pay Cut Help Land the King?
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room.
LeBron James will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He has expressed a desire to play with Curry in the past, including after the two co-led Team USA to gold during the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
If LeBron wants to come to Golden State, the Warriors would need to clear cap space. One way to do that would be for Curry to take less than the full $70 million per year.
Curry could follow the path of LeBron, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh with the Miami Heat 15 years ago – superstars taking less to make the organization’s job easier.
But that trend is not as en vogue as it once was. Players today are more likely to demand every dollar they’re worth.
Curry has already made over $400 million in salary alone. He’s not hurting for money. But taking less would be a sacrifice.
Would he do it to play with LeBron? That’s the question.
The Western Conference Arms Race: Why the Warriors Need to Spend
Let’s look at the competition.
The Western Conference is loaded. The Oklahoma City Thunder are the reigning champions and are opening the conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs, who are rapidly ascending. The Denver Nuggets have Nikola Jokic. The Dallas Mavericks have Luka Doncic.
The Warriors need to keep pace. They need Curry at his best. They also need to add talent around him.
Paying Curry $70 million per year makes it harder to add depth. But letting Curry walk would be catastrophic.
The Warriors are choosing the lesser of two evils. They’re paying their legend and figuring out the rest later.
What Curry Could Do: Take Less or Take It All
Let’s look at Curry’s options.
Option 1: Take the full $70 million per year. Retire as the highest-paid player in NBA history. Secure the bag. Let the front office figure out the rest.
Option 2: Take less – say, $50-60 million per year. Give the Warriors cap flexibility to add another star. Potentially lure LeBron James to Golden State. Chase another championship.
Curry has earned the right to choose. He’s done enough for the franchise. He owes them nothing.
But if he wants to maximize his chances of winning another title, taking less might be the smart move.
The Legacy Factor: Retiring a Warrior
Let’s zoom out.
Curry has spent his entire career in Golden State. He’s won four championships. He’s revolutionized basketball. He’s the greatest Warrior of all time.
The only thing left is to finish the job. To retire as a Warrior. To have his jersey hanging in the rafters.
This extension ensures that happens. No matter what else happens this offseason – no matter if LeBron comes or not – Curry will be in Golden State until the end.
That’s the most important thing.
The Golden State Warriors are ready to make Stephen Curry the highest-paid player in NBA history. A two-year extension worth nearly 140million–140million–70 million per season – is on the table.
Curry deserves every penny. He’s still elite at 38. He’s the face of the franchise. He’s the reason the Warriors became a dynasty.
The Warriors are confident a deal will get done. Mike Dunleavy said he doesn’t see any scenario where Curry doesn’t finish his career in Golden State.
Steve Kerr is committed to coaching Curry until the end.
The only question is whether Curry will take the full amount or take less to help the Warriors add talent – perhaps even LeBron James.
Either way, Curry will be a Warrior for life.
And that’s the way it should be.