Steph Curry watching, waiting as he makes Warriors contract extension decision

Steph Curry watching, waiting as he makes Warriors contract extension decision originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

OAKLAND – As summer ends with the Warriors responding to a forgettable season with marginal moves, forming twin clouds of disappointment and despair above Dub Nation. The outlook for next season would seem to be gloomy.

But the brightest star in Golden State’s solar system remains cool and analytical. Stephen Curry, observing the franchise from views both panoramic and microscopic, straddles encouragement with anticipation.

Which is partly why Curry’s contract extension – he has been eligible for almost four weeks – remains on hold not because of complications but by choice.

“This is a very unique situation,” Curry said late Wednesday afternoon after visiting a school in east Oakland. “I’ve been pretty straightforward and honest about it: I’m not going anywhere. There are just dynamics of where we’ve been the last four years, where we’re trying to go, and things that are related to my contract that can determine a lot of different things.”

The abiding sense is that Curry longs for reasons to believe with his entire soul that the Warriors are headed up rather than staying relatively flat. He’s not entirely there yet. He is, for now, leaning on hope.

Curry joined the rest of his teammates earlier this week for a sort of conclave arranged by Jimmy Butler III in San Diego. It’s the same way the Warriors closed last summer, the group gathering to spend time together, equal parts re-bonding and sharpening focus as training camp begins next week.

“We just had a great little minicamp as a team and got together for the whole team for the first time,” Curry said. “It was great to see everybody and get prepared for the year, which is where my mind is at really.”

Curry, 38, wants to play with a quality roster, one capable of crashing the postseason party and playing well beyond April. He absolutely wants it to be in Golden State, partly out of loyalty and partly out of stability. He has spent 80 percent of his adult life living and playing in the Bay Area, enjoying the highs and enduring the lows while remaining steadfast to the belief there will be more highs.

How can Steph know? He can’t.

The Warriors are drifting toward a season steeped in trepidation. Last season went south after Butler and Curry went down 11 days apart. Butler, the starting small forward, is expected to miss at least three months. The status of starting center Kristaps Porziņģis is questionable until confirmed otherwise. Al Horford, who missed 37 games last season, returns as a 40-year-old backup to Porziņģis. Draymond Green, 36, is being asked to adjust his role in the offense. Coach Steve Kerr took a month off before deciding to return.

And the youngsters, while showing shades of promise last season, ultimately proved not ready to shine without the veterans.

So, please understand if Curry is in no hurry to sign an extension. He is studying Golden State’s landscape before pinning himself – or the franchise – into an inflexible position.

“I’m pretty sure . . . just know the dynamics of our team, 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. This is one of the rare ones in my career (where) you’re trying to make sure you have peace of mind with it all. I don’t know if there’s any more new information. It’s just the conviction of I’m doing the right thing for me, for the team, for now, for the future, like all those things.

“And it’s obvious I don’t have that many more bats at the plate. So just want to make sure I’m doing right by me and by the team.”

Curry never has been a free agent. Never wanted to be. His goal is to retire with the same franchise that brought him into the NBA. To represent one franchise, like Kobe Bryant with the Lakers and Tim Duncan with the Spurs and Dirk Nowitzki with the Mavericks.

That desire, while admirable, has given Golden State’s shot-callers enough comfort to feel less urgency than they otherwise might. The longshot pursuit of LeBron James deep into July was, in a sense, a desperate attempt to upgrade the roster. A belated effort to assuage Curry’s aspirations.

It failed, and now Curry is in observation mode. A contract extension is the least of his worries. He’s preparing to play basketball at an All-Star level while also inspecting potential organizational moves up close and from a distance. 

Whether Steph or Stephen or Wardell, he is a skilled multitasker. Don’t doubt he can do that and still get buckets.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast