Apr 17, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) against the Phoenix Suns during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Apr 17, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) against the Phoenix Suns during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
This summer, LeBron James proved that even aging NBA superstars can still command a lot of attention in free agency. With his future undecided, half the teams in the league were in pursuit, hoping to land the four-time champion at a bargain price.
For Warriors star Stephen Curry, he could experience a similar situation next summer after the end of his four-year, $215 million contract. Rumors have been swirling since he has yet to sign an extension with the Warriors, but Curry himself recently spoke on the matter, settling any doubts about his NBA loyalties.
“Not at all,” said Curry in a chat with CNBC. “I’ve always stated that I wanna be a lifer with Golden State. What we’ve built there, the fact that I get to run it back this year with Draymond and Coach Kerr. All the contract stuff, this NBA thing from year to year, is so crazy. Things change really fast. But I do know that my interest and mission to stay in Golden State and be competitive is there, and the contract stuff will take care of itself.”
Curry has spoken about his delayed extension talks before, but the narratives will persist until he has a new deal with Golden State. He’s been eligible since August for a two-year, $136.7 million deal, and the Warriors would be happy to make it official. The catch (and the reason for the hold-up) is that Curry can sign a three-year deal if he waits to become an official free agent, securing more money and long-term security.
So, by all accounts, Steph isn’t going through the normal free agent process. While he will be officially available, it won’t be for long, as he and the Warriors are expected to reunite on a new max deal. For a franchise that’s been struggling to stay relevant, that development is a major relief, but it hardly puts them in a position to maximize this last act of their beloved championship core.
With Klay Thompson gone and Draymond Green emerging as a potential trade candidate this season, the decline has already begun, and the Warriors are trying desperately to hang on. Besides Jimmy Butler’s health and the contributions of role players like Kristaps Porzingis, it’s Steph who will determine how far this team goes.
With averages of 26.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game on 46.8% shooting last season, the two-time MVP continues to produce at a superstar level, but he may have to raise his game even further to put the Warriors back in the playoff picture out West.
Regardless of how this season ends, Curry has every intention of sticking around. After making history with the Warriors (and bringing four championships to the city of San Francisco), he’s willing to see it through and join the ranks of other one-franchise players like Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Dirk Nowitzki. It’s up to the Warriors now to see that loyalty rewarded by putting Steph in a position to add even more accolades to his illustrious resume.