Stephen Curry’s Contract Decision Never Worried Warriors GM for One Reason

Stephen Curry, 38, signed a two-year, $116 million extension with the Golden State Warriors on Friday, days before training camp opened. The deal keeps him with the team through the 2028-29 season. ESPN reported it includes a player option for that final year.

Curry could have taken a max deal worth $136.7 million, but he accepted about $20 million less to give the Warriors more cap space next offseason. General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. addressed the deal Monday at media day, saying he never worried Curry would leave.
Stephen Curry‘s extension never cost him sleep

Curry accepted the lower contract following an injury-heavy season where he played only 43 games. Though he averaged 26.6 points and 4.7 assists on 46.8% shooting to earn his 12th All-Star selection, he missed 39 games. Golden State finished a disappointing 37-45, marking their worst record in a full season since 2011. While Curry performed well individually, his numbers did not translate into wins.

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Apr 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) handles the ball in the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

When asked if he feared the contract extension would turn into a distraction, Dunleavy said, per ClutchPoints, “I lost zero sleep over that. I think he’s a guy that’s committed to the organization. He wants to be here. He believes in our ability to put together a great team… I’ve lost sleep on a lot of things. That is not one of them.”

Dunleavy said the front office showed Curry the team’s books and offered several paths, including a max extension, a reduced deal or waiting until later in the season or 2027. He said he would never ask Curry to take less. Curry picked the reduced option himself.”

The discount directly aids the front office’s roster plans. Cap analysts note that the financial relief could leave the Warriors with more than $40 million to $50 million in cap space next summer to pursue an elite star. Because Dunleavy has not named specific targets, it remains unclear who will join Curry and Steve Kerr’s rotation in the near future.

Curry opened up to reporters on Monday regarding his choice to stay with the franchise. He explained his dedication to Golden State by using his exact words:

“This is home,” Curry said. “This is what we’ve built. This is a community that I’ve played in front of my entire career. Being able to finish the story the right way is a big part of what I can control.”

He also explicitly detailed the financial setup of his extension and noted that his presence on the court is the ultimate metric for success, adding that the contract structure was intentional and focused on the present rather than looking too far ahead, as referenced in the full coverage.

Curry’s comments reveal two realities. He took less money to give the front office financial flexibility, but his health remains the team’s biggest question mark after a 43-game season. If he plays through 2029, he will complete his 20th NBA season entirely with Golden State.