​The Golden State Warriors are in a cautious holding pattern this offseason, weighing their options for what could lie ahead. One tantalizing possibility is a pursuit of LeBron James, a move that would instantly reshape the franchise’s trajectory for the coming season and likely for the next couple of years. Yet there’s a caveat: if that plan doesn’t come to fruition and the Warriors don’t swing a major trade for Anthony Davis, the team could resemble last year’s squad—the one that finished 37-45 and exited in the play-in tournament. Some worry this could mark another unproductive year at the tail end of Stephen Curry’s prime.
That concern has ignited a wave of fervent reactions on social media, with a number of Warriors supporters suggesting Curry should demand a trade or at least position himself to explore free agency when his contract concludes. Curry, who is 38, demonstrated he still has prime basketball left last season, averaging 26.6 points and shooting 39.3 percent from three. He is set to earn more than $62 million next season and could reach free agency in 2027, though such a scenario remains unlikely.
In fact, Curry has no intention of leaving the Warriors, requesting a trade, or entering free agency. The franchise remains committed to him as a cornerstone, even if the current roster has its flaws, and Curry has expressed no plans to depart Golden State. In a conversation with veteran San Francisco Chronicle reporter Ron Kroichik, Curry touched on the possibility of a contract extension. Kroichik noted that Curry, who will be extension-eligible in late August, would be seeking a deal that would keep him in the fold beyond his remaining year on the current contract, which is worth about $62.6 million. If he signs a one-year extension, he would be playing into his 40s, turning 40 in March 2028.
Curry has consistently articulated a desire to win with the Warriors, but he has also shown a willingness to consider the team’s long-term health over his own personal career arc. He has not pushed for the Warriors to prioritze immediate, win-now moves at the expense of future draft capital. The James pursuit, however, presents a distinctive opportunity for Golden State: adding a Hall of Fame-caliber player who could raise the team’s floor and reinsert it into the playoff mix without demanding a sweeping sacrifice of roster assets or draft picks. It’s a rare window, especially given that Jimmy Butler is expected to be sidelined until after Christmas while he recovers from knee surgery, and Moses Moody is likely to miss more time while he recovers from his own knee procedure.
Curry himself acknowledged the ambiguity inherent in free agency, underscoring that LeBron’s situation is one that the league is watching closely. “I mean, it’s TBD because this is what free agency is about,” he said. “LeBron’s situation is one where the league is waiting. … We’re in a very unique situation because Jimmy’s hurt and Moses is hurt, and they’re going to miss a good amount of the season. You’ve got to try to hold the fort down as much as you can.”