Steph Curry says he's staying. Now comes the hard part for the Warriors
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As a horde of television cameras pivoted away, a brave soul three rows deep in the ring around Stephen Curry raised their hand and raised their voice. It was Q&A time at Oakland's Madison Park Primary this Wednesday afternoon, and this inquisitive student wanted to know, naturally, not about any contract talks or long-term plans but if Curry had any advice for young athletes.
Curry leaned forward, hands on knees and a sparkle in his eyes, and advised: He always tried to find competition that was better than him.
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Warriors star Stephen Curry reads the "Eye on the Ball" book with students on Wednesday in the Madison Park Academy Primary library during an event for his Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation in Oakland. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle)"I try to never be the best person on the court," Curry smiled, finishing his answer. "If that's the case, then I'm not getting challenged."
And yet, entering his 18th season in the NBA, the 38-year-old Curry will find himself as the unquestioned best player on the floor - again - as the Warriors tip off camp in Hawaii next week. Any attempt at big-game fishing in Golden State this offseason yielded nothing more than nibbles. The roster around Curry, at present, is stuck, with a total of $123.8 million in cap space commanded by a 36-year-old Draymond Green, 40-year-old Al Horford, 31-year-old Kristaps Porzingis and two presently unavailable wings in Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody.
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So it's become increasingly apparent that Curry may not sign a contract extension before the start of camp. Maybe not even in October.
But not because he wants out of the Bay Area, as he reiterated to reporters at an event for the Currys' Eat. Learn. Play foundation at Madison Park Primary on Wednesday.
Rosa Gonzalez videos Warriors star Stephen Curry signing a basketball for her during an event for his Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation on Wednesday. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle)"I've been pretty straightforward and honest about, I'm not going anywhere," Curry said. "There's just dynamics of - where we've been the last four years, where we're trying to go, things that are related to my contract, that can determine a lot of different things.
"And, holding this team together for as long as we have, and the idea of us trying to reimagine what it looks like for us to be successful - I get it," he continued. "That's part of it. But, it's not like free agency or anything is of interest to me."
Could it be? Sure, by a sheer numbers game. Curry became eligible in late August to sign a maximum two-year, $136.7 million contract extension in Golden State, and has until June 30, 2027 to put pen to paper. If he didn't sign beyond that and hit unrestricted free agency, he could sign a maximum three-year deal worth up to $207 million in the coming summer. But that would take him through an age-42 season, and Curry, as he told reporters Wednesday, doesn't have "that many at-bats" left in the NBA.
Warriors star Stephen Curry plays basketball with students on Wednesday in Oakland. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle)"So I just want to make sure I'm doing right by me," Curry said, "and by the team."
Curry gave cryptic answers on the particulars of his extension negotiations when asked by reporters Wednesday. Decoded, though, and the Warriors' larger-than-life guard is simply trying to balance career and financial self-interest with the franchise's ability to win games.
Taking the full maximum, naturally, would enable Golden State to surround him with only so much talent. If Curry took any kind of pay-cut, it could signal faith in the organization to successfully navigate a variety of moving pieces, from Butler's and Green's expiring deals to next year's free-agent market.
Warriors star Stephen Curry helps distribute books and supplies on Wednesday at Madison Park Academy Primary in Oakland. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle)"I'm pretty sure you know the dynamics of our team and where we're at, and all that," Curry said. "It's not really an obvious type of, ‘Let's just do this, and keep it moving,' type situation."
Ask Curry, and this situation is not a stressor. He is anxious about on-court preparation for this season, just as he is with any other, and told reporters he shared his nerves with Green in a conversation the day before. Managing the runner's knee that knocked him out for 39 games last season, too, is "top of mind."
The contract isn't, it appears. On Wednesday, Curry read to kids from his new picture book "Eye on the Ball" at Madison Park Primary, and shot hoops with them, and answered their questions about the toughest competition he's ever faced (answer: the Cleveland Cavaliers of yore). He shuffled around with all the glee of an inner child in a 38-year-old's body.
Warriors star Stephen Curry reads to students on Wednesday in Oakland. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle)And he did not flinch, when discussing what's next, beyond another season around the Bay.
"I'm (going to make) the decision that's right, and ready to move forward," Curry said. "But it's not a distraction for me at all, and hopefully not the team, either. So, getting ready for Monday."
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