The Constant of Change in the Bay Area
Since winning the 2022 NBA title, the Golden State Warriors have experienced significant changes, with Stephen Curry potentially being the last key player from their championship era remaining on the team. The departure of Klay Thompson has underscored that even dynastic teams are not immune to the evolving landscape of professional sports.
Stephen Curry’s Desire to Stay
In a recent interview with Yahoo Sports in Las Vegas, Curry expressed his desire to remain with the Warriors for the entirety of his career. “I mean, I can clearly say I want to be a Warrior for life,” Curry stated. “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.”
With two years left on his current contract, Curry could sign an extension this summer, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks. However, the Warriors’ recent offer to Thompson, which he declined, has set a precedent that suggests changes may continue.
Adjusting to Life Without Klay Thompson
Thompson’s move to the Dallas Mavericks has been a significant change for Curry. “Not having Klay man, it still hasn’t really sunk in, just because you’ve been doing it for 13 years together,” Curry said. Reflecting on the camaraderie and routines they’ve shared, Curry added, “I kind of have this idea that October, he’ll still show up like, ‘Hey guys, what’s up?’ But I know it’s not happening.”
Curry’s Influence in the Organization
There is a perception that Curry doesn’t exert his influence on organizational decisions as visibly as other stars like LeBron James or Kevin Durant. Curry addressed this, stating, “It’s like this thing of, ‘Oh, does Steph want that? Or does Steph talk to the organization?’ Like, if you know basketball, you know how this works, like, I know what’s going on. I know all the ramifications of every decision.”
Steph on losing Klay Thompson in free agency pic.twitter.com/YSqau3ouxl
— terry (@terryworst) July 8, 2024
Financial Constraints and Team Building
The new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and its financial restrictions have forced teams to make tough decisions, including the Warriors. The luxury tax aprons penalize teams that have successfully drafted and retained homegrown talent. With escalating salaries for aging players, the Warriors had to make the difficult decision to let Thompson go to manage their cap space effectively.
The Warriors’ Future and Curry’s Commitment
The departure of key players like Thompson signals a shift in the Warriors’ strategy. Despite the changes, Curry remains committed to winning. “Winning is hard in this league, man, and the fact that we’ve been able to do it for this long, it’s been amazing,” Curry said. “I always want to win, plain and simple. And there’s no contentment on just cashing a check and playing basketball and riding it out.”
Aging Gracefully: Curry’s Continued Impact
Curry, who will turn 37 towards the end of next season, continues to be one of the most feared players in the game. Alongside other veterans like James and Durant, Curry is redefining what it means to age gracefully in the NBA. Despite not being at his 2016 MVP peak, Curry remains a critical asset to any team.
Olympic Team Dynamics
The upcoming Olympics present an opportunity for Curry to team up with James and Durant, forming a new superteam on the international stage. Reflecting on his new teammate, Curry said, “Having Bron as a teammate is surreal, because you have so many battles back and forth. You admired his game. You know what he’s about, and to see the work up close and personal every day, to see how he prepares, how he talks in practice, like I’ve never had that vantage point of him.”
The Evolution of Curry and James’ Relationship
Curry and James’ relationship has evolved from friendly and supportive to fierce rivals, and now, to teammates. James’ admiration for Curry was evident when he reached out to Curry to gauge his interest in participating in the Olympics. “So to now be in a situation where we’re still in the same conference, they beat us in the playoffs last year and there’s still that competition,” Curry said. “But I can fully enjoy this experience and get to know him at a much deeper level as teammates, and I think that’s what we both deserve at this stage in our careers.”
The Future of Curry and the Warriors
As Curry continues to play at an elite level, he is also aware of the ever-changing dynamics of the NBA. “I want to be in the best position to make that [winning] happen,” Curry said. “Things change quickly, and the league has changed quickly, so we’re trying to adapt and evolve. And until [then] … I’ll let everybody know if that changes.”
Curry’s commitment to the Warriors remains steadfast, but he acknowledges the uncertainties of the future. As he continues to navigate his career, his goal is to keep winning and contributing to his team’s success.