LAS VEGAS — Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry has made it clear that he would like to remain a member of the only NBA team he has played for for the rest of his career.
And the Warriors are on the same page.
Curry, 36, whose contract expires after the 2025-26 season, is eligible for a one-year extension this summer. While it's not the most pressing issue on Golden State's to-do list as it navigates the remainder of free agency, it's something Warriors management has on its radar.
“That guy can get whatever he wants,” Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy said at a news conference Friday. “It's been a sprint to go through the draft, free agency and summer league, but all of that will play out. Steph, I think I can say with pretty good confidence that he's going to be a Warrior for life.”
Taking advantage of Curry's remaining prime is priority number one for the Warriors, especially as they turn the page on the Klay Thompson era in the Bay Area.
Regardless of Thompson's decision to stay or go, the organization knew it had to make changes after being eliminated in the second round in 2023 and failing to even make the playoffs last season.
“I think it would have been tough to go back to the same team,” Dunleavy said. “Even though 46 wins is pretty good, we didn't make the playoffs. But this isn't something that's completely broken. We just need to fine-tune some things. I think we've been able to do that and we're excited about this group.”
To help retool their roster, the Warriors brought in Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield and De'Anthony Melton, three players Dunleavy said fit the shooting and defensive style Golden State is looking for.
Dunleavy said the Warriors are still open to bringing in another player, but he doesn't think it will happen imminently.
“The free agency situation has calmed down. We have 14 players and we're in the first round, so adding someone in that regard right now would be difficult,” Dunleavy said. “But you're always looking to improve around the league, talking to teams and exploring things.”
“I like our team, but there are also some things we can improve.”
Even if they add another new face, the Warriors are putting more emphasis on their younger players: Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, who are also eligible for a contract extension, as well as Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis.
Kuminga was in and out of the starting lineup last season, as was Podziemski, and both will be considered for starting roles next season.
“The growth of young people to take the next step is feasible,” Dunleavy said.
But everything the Warriors do between now and then will be centered on Curry and Draymond Green and how they can get the best pieces around them for the next two years, and hopefully longer.
“With Steph and Draymond still at a very high level … we have to be mindful of the decisions we make to stay at this championship level,” Dunleavy said. “We've pushed the boundaries to do this. We're serious about winning.”
