Stephen Curry re-signs with the Warriors for $116 million and accepts a salary cut

Stephen Curry will remain a player for the Golden State Warriors for the upcoming seasons. The franchise star has agreed to a two-year contract extension worth 116 million dollars, according to league sources reported to Shams Charania of ESPN, an agreement that keeps the four-time champion linked to the only organization he has played for through his twentieth season in the NBA.

The new contract includes a player option for the 2028-29 season, providing Curry with an additional opportunity to decide his future after the 2027-28 season. The move comes after several weeks in which the Warriors presented various scenarios for the future of their star, including the possibility of waiting before making a decision.

Curry opts for less to give the Warriors more flexibility

The main feature of the agreement is that Curry has chosen a figure lower than the maximum he could have reached. The guard had the right to sign an extension of up to two years and 136.7 million dollars since August 29, but he has ultimately chosen a contract worth 116 million.

This decision represents a salary reduction relative to the maximum allowed and also provides Golden State with additional flexibility to build a competitive roster around Curry. The franchise had presented different scenarios to the player over the past few weeks, including the possibility of accepting a pay cut to free up future cap space.

The goal of the move is especially important given the financial situation the Warriors will face next summer. The new contract not only guarantees Curry's continuity but also alters the margin the franchise will have to enter the market.

The Warriors gain flexibility for next summer

Curry's salary will decrease from the 62.6 million dollars projected for next season to 55.7 million in the 2027-28 season. For 2028-29, the player will have a player option valued at 60.2 million.

According to the cited sources, this structure will allow the Warriors to have approximately 10 million dollars in additional projected salary cap space for next summer. This difference may provide Golden State greater capacity to move in both free agency and the trade market over the next 12 months.

The franchise will also face several significant changes in its salary structure. Jimmy Butler III, at 56.8 million dollars, and Draymond Green, at 27.6 million, have expiring contracts and will no longer count against the Warriors' books next summer.

There is also a unique situation with Kristaps Porzingis. The veteran center is only guaranteed 3 million of his 20 million salary, which may further increase Golden State's maneuvering room.

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Golden State could have up to 55 million in margin

The Warriors' economic projections place their salary margin for next summer between 38 and 55 million dollars, depending on the decisions the franchise makes regarding the contractual situation of Brandin Podziemski.

According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, Podziemski has not yet signed a contract extension and would impact the salary cap by 17 million dollars next summer. His situation will therefore be one of the variables that determines how much real space Golden State will have for moves.

This entire scenario helps explain why Curry's decision was significant beyond his own contract. The player could have sought the maximum salary available or delayed the decision, but he ultimately chose a structure that provides greater predictability for both parties and more flexibility for the Warriors.

Curry took nearly a month to make the decision

The choice was not immediate. Curry took almost a month to decide among the different possibilities he had on the table: signing for the maximum allowed, accepting a salary reduction, or waiting to negotiate a new contract later.

The player himself explained to ESPN this week the factors he was considering and made it clear that the opportunity to maintain a competitive roster was one of the fundamental elements of his decision.

"We're in a very interesting situation," Curry told ESPN earlier this week. "Beyond the various conditions of the salary cap — whether I sign for the maximum, for less, or whatever it is — I want to be on a competitive team. I want to have the chance to have some flexibility, something we've lacked in recent years, in the recent past... This team should have the flexibility to make necessary moves if unforeseen circumstances arise. Those are always the considerations."

"For me, information and patience are key. It's a really unique situation in every aspect, considering where we've been the last four years, what point I am in my career, how the team is set up this year, and the absolute desire to win. It's about trying to balance all that."

Curry will continue to be the centerpiece of the Warriors

The renewal confirms Curry's continuity in Golden State and extends his bond with the only franchise he has known throughout his NBA career until, at minimum, the 2027-28 season. The player option for 2028-29 also leaves an open door for the guard to later decide if he continues under that contract.

But the move has a reading that goes beyond guaranteeing Curry's presence. By accepting 116 million instead of the 136.7 million he could have reached with a maximum extension, the player allows the Warriors to have greater financial margin to attempt to strengthen the team.

The decision aligns with Curry's own words. The guard explained that he did not want to consider only how much money he could get in the new contract, but also what structure would allow Golden State to have "the opportunity to have some flexibility" and make the necessary moves.

Now, the Warriors face next summer with a salary situation that could provide them with more room to maneuver. The expiring contracts of Butler and Green, the situation with Porzingis, and the pending decision regarding Podziemski will be some of the variables that determine how much space the franchise will ultimately have.

Meanwhile, Curry has chosen contractual security and a reduction from the maximum with a clear goal: to continue competing in Golden State and facilitate the team's ability to make moves around their star.

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