As Golden State eyes a post-Curry future, a blockbuster proposal pairs the world’s greatest shooter with Victor Wembanyama to ignite a new era of Spurs dominance.
This summer alone, we've seen two members of the NBA's exclusive 75th Anniversary Team find new homes through LeBron James' decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers and Giannis Antetokounmpo's trade to the Miami Heat.
Could a third member of that illustrious list land with the San Antonio Spurs?
It's possible ... but only if Stephen Curry demands a trade out of the Bay Area.
The Golden State Warriors are so often linked to every big name who becomes available, yet they can never seem to complete a deal. Still, Golden State continues returning to the negotiating table.
But apparently after whiffing on James, owner Joe Lacob and the Warriors' philosophy is changing.
“What Lacob wants to do, and this might get Warriors fans mad, but he wants to build the next team after Steph Curry," Bay Area reporter Tim Kawakami said. “I don’t know how possible that is, but Lacob has a very keen interest in ‘This organization is going to show what it can do with Steph Curry and then after Steph Curry.’ I don’t think it’s going to be as good myself, but that’s what he wants to do.”
This development could present San Antonio with the perfect opportunity to strike while Curry can be had for cheap.
Let's take a look at what the potential framework for a Spurs offer could look like if the Warriors opened up a bidding war for the greatest shooter of all time.
Spurs Receive: Stephen Curry
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectThe reasoning here is obvious.
Pairing Curry's unmatched shooting ability with Victor Wembanyama's unfair size and skillset would likely be enough for the entire basketball world to unanimously crown San Antonio the title favorites months out of opening night.
While he is 38 years old, of all the aging superstars in the NBA, Curry's game could withstand the test of time the most. He could sit around the perimeter and shoot six threes per game until he's 45 years old.
There's no justification needed for San Antonio's side of things.
Warriors Receive: De’Aaron Fox, Carter Bryant, Most favorable 2030 first-rounder among SAS, DAL and MIN, 2031 first-round swap rights via SAC, 2029 second-rounder via NOP, 2030 second-rounder via CLE
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectWarriors fans will read this proposed package and cringe. Spurs fans probably will, too.
At first glance, from Golden State's perspective, this offer probably looks laughable. But, Curry is 38, and he essentially controls all the leverage here. His contract expires at the end of next season, and without an extension, he'd be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career.
It's better to get back a under-30 All-Star guard and former lottery pick plus future draft capital than to lose Curry for nothing.
And while San Antonio is exhausting a lot of tradeable assets here ... I'll ask you a question, dear Spurs fan:
What price are you willing to pay to never have to experience the disappointment you did in June?
I doubt that San Antonio would be losing the NBA Finals in five games despite leading by double-digits in each one if "The Chef" paired up with "The Alien."
Of course, another contender could throw a Godfather offer at Golden State for Curry, but this hypothetical is contingent on San Antonio being his preferred destination.
Given what the Spurs have built in such a short amount of time, it'd be hard to imagine they wouldn't be present on a potential Curry "wish list."
