Why Golden State Warriors shouldn’t be worried about Steph Curry’s future in the Bay Area
There is perhaps no other player who encapsulates the essence of the modern NBA better than Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry. While there were great 3-point shooters before him and more will likely follow once Curry calls time on his career, there’s no denying that the NBA as we know it now is shaped by him.
Curry taking what seemed to be an atrocious shot with the game tied 118-118 and just seconds left in the first overtime against the OKC Thunder in early 2016 truly marked the beginning of the 3-point revolution. That was ESPN Mike Breen’s first double bang, and more have followed, standing testament to Curry’s impact.
While most of the credit for reshaping the basketball landscape goes to Steph Curry’s shooting prowess, the Golden State Warriors deserve recognition, too. The team implemented a style of basketball that helped coach Steve Kerr extract the most out of Curry.
Golden State surrounded Curry with players such as Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston and Kevin Durant. They helped Curry excel at his role and made the Warriors a dynasty. Most of these players are now either gone or retired, with Green being the only exception.
So, should the Golden State Warriors be worried about Steph Curry leaving the Bay Area as well? Here are the reasons why they shouldn’t be:
Reasons why Golden State Warriors shouldn’t be worried about Steph Curry’s future in the Bay Area
#1 Curry by his own admission wants to end his career at Golden State
This might almost seem like a broken record by now but Steph Curry has repeatedly said he wants to end his career with the team that drafted him. In early September during an appearance on NBC’s TODAY show, Curry was asked if he wanted to end his career in the Bay Area, to which he replied:
“I hope so, for sure.”
In the buildup to the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Golden State Warriors guard was asked a similar question in an interview with Yahoo Sports. Curry said:
“I mean, I can clearly say I want to be a Warrior for life. It's always been my goal, and I'm saying that sitting in this chair right now, but like you said, life, and especially life in the NBA, it is a wild environment, and things change quickly.”
While Curry did admit that things could change in the NBA, his contract extension until the 2026-27 season reinforced his desire to stay in the Bay Area.
#2 Curry signed a one-year extension
Steph Curry signed a one-year, $62.6 million contract extension on Aug. 29 that ties him to the Golden State Warriors until the 2026-27 season. With Curry regularly maintaining that he values winning, the extension was a vote of confidence for the franchise’s efforts in surrounding him with players who give him the best opportunity to win.
By the time the 2026-27 season ends, Curry will be 39 years old. With his level of fitness and the progression of sports science, he should still remain an impactful player if not the superstar he is today. As the player who turned the team’s fortune, Golden State should offer him at least another extension to end his career with the team.
#3 Curry is built in the same mold as Tim Duncan
Hall of Famer Tim Duncan was known for his leadership qualities with the San Antonio Spurs and how he reportedly preferred to put the team’s needs first. He was also known for being extremely low maintenance, a trait shared by Steph Curry.
Duncan spent his entire 19-year career with the Spurs and led them to five titles. Curry seems to be on a similar route and ending his career with the Warriors could be ideal for him.
#4 Curry is fiercely loyal and appreciative of the opportunities that came his way
The Golden State Warriors guard was just a 3-star recruit coming out of high school. Thus, not many powerful basketball programs pursued him as he was dismissed for his size. However, once he joined Davidson, he had a breakthrough freshman season.
As per NBC Sports, several top 15 colleges were interested in recruiting Steph Curry after his first year. He wasn’t interested anymore, though, as said by Dell Curry:
“‘Dad -- eff them. They didn’t want me then and I don’t want them now.’”
If the past is anything to go by, Curry should stick with the team that drafted him and stuck with him even through the ankle injuries that threatened to end his career early.
#5 Deep roots with Bay Area
The Currys have been in the Bay Area for 15 years now, which means they are well-connected to the community. Steph Curry and his wife, Ayesha Curry, continue to support the needy through programs such as Feeding America.
The Curry Family donated more than a million meals to students who rely on their school’s two meals-a-day scheme. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when schools were not in session, the Currys launched a fundraiser to support Feeding America and provide food to the students who were affected by the shutdown.
Thus, with such deep roots in the Bay Area, the family is unlikely to uproot their lives and move to a new city.