The Golden State Warriors are, by all accounts, one of the biggest losers of the NBA offseason.
Not only did they fail to sign LeBron James, but they didn’t do anything to objectively improve Stephen Curry’s supporting cast, other than drafting Yaxel Lendeborg.
The Warriors’ financial situation didn’t do much to help, either, as they’re stuck with aging veterans on big contracts, so there wasn’t much wiggle room.
That’s why they might be thrilled to know that their superstar is willing to take one for the team. Talking to Joseph Dycus of the San Jose Mercury News, Curry hinted at leaving money on the table to help the Warriors.
Stephen Curry might take a pay cut to help the Warriors
“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 can determine a lot of different things,” Curry said. “I’m still having those conversations. …I’ve told everybody that you’ll know when I’m making a decision that’s right and ready to move forward, but it’s not a distraction for me at all, and hopefully not for the team either.”
That’s certainly not a move most players would make, though it’s become a bit more common in recent years, with Jalen Brunson and Victor Wembanyama also doing so.
The future Hall of Famer just became eligible to sign a two-year, $136.7 million contract extension.
There was some speculation about how the front office’s perennial miscues could force his hand to request a trade or not sign an extension, but it looks like that was never an option.
The greatest shooter of all time has spent his entire career in the Bay Area, and watching him suit up for any other franchise would be a bit awkward.
According to spotter, he’s made $470 million in playing salary alone, and that doesn’t even count endorsement deals and investments.
So, yeah, he’ll make ends meet.