Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy says Curry was ‘incredibly generous’ in accepting a smaller deal “He’s taking less money to help the team out because, as Steph goes, he’s as competitive as there is. He wants to win and he’s put us in a position where it gives us a little bit more flexibility to do that”
The Golden State Warriors have agreed to a two-year, $116 million contract extension with Steph Curry, allowing the franchise to turn its full attention to the 2026-27 NBA season.
According to general manager Mike Dunleavy, Curry’s willingness to accept less money was a key element of the agreement and will give the Warriors additional flexibility to improve the roster.
Dunleavy explained that Golden State never asked Curry to take a pay cut. Instead, the organization presented him with different scenarios and explained how the franchise could remain competitive during the final years of his career.
“I think given Steph’s desire to be here, our desire to keep him here, I think we found a middle ground where he was incredibly generous in taking this deal, where he’s taking less money to help the team out because, as Steph goes, he’s as competitive as there is,” Dunleavy said.
“He wants to win. He’s put us in a position where it gives us a little bit more flexibility to do that.”
Golden State presented Curry with its plans and financial scenarios, allowing the superstar to understand how the franchise intended to remain competitive.
“We just presented him with a plan to remain tremendously competitive, and then we showed him scenarios. We showed him our books and what it looks like and this and that and the whole thing,” Dunleavy explained.
Curry’s priority remains winning. The 38-year-old is entering another season at an elite level and is still chasing a fifth NBA championship.
Dunleavy believes the agreement gives the Warriors the opportunity to keep Curry in Golden State for the remainder of his career while maintaining some flexibility.
“I think the middle ground was signing him up to be able to almost ensure that he’ll finish his career here while also keeping some flexibility, keeping some optionality on it, and we’ve done that.”
Curry averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds last season despite being 38 years old.
Head coach Steve Kerr also welcomed the extension and emphasized how important it was to get the deal completed before the start of the season.
“It’s great to get him re-signed. I mean, we never doubted it for a minute,” Kerr said.
“We knew he wanted to be here. Mike did a great job of working with Steph and Jeff Austin and finding the right path that helps the team as well as Steph.”
Kerr believes removing the contract situation from the equation will allow everyone to focus completely on basketball.
Dunleavy also reflected on Curry’s longevity and the continued championship window around him, Draymond Green and Kerr.
“It’s incredible. The way this guy has kept it going, I pause and think about it all the time, but it’s the reality. He’s really good, and he deserves what he’s worked for.”
“He’s extended this window for himself, he’s extended the window for the team, and we’re going to continue to build it because of him.”
The Warriors will begin training camp in Hawaii, where they are scheduled to face the Los Angeles Clippers on October 4 in their first preseason game. Golden State will then return to the Bay Area before opening the regular season against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 21.