Stephen Curry can secure another massive payday now or preserve Golden State’s flexibility by waiting until free agency.
Stephen Curry is officially eligible for another contract extension, presenting the Golden State Warriors with one of their most important financial decisions in years.
Curry can sign a maximum two-year, $136.7 million extension anytime between now and June 30, 2027, according to ESPN salary-cap expert Bobby Marks.
“Because of the Over 38 rule, two years is the maximum allowed in an extension,” Marks wrote. “He can sign for up to three seasons if he waits until free agency.”
Golden State is reportedly prepared to offer Curry the full amount. The more complicated question is whether the franchise icon will accept immediately, take a discount or play out the final season of his current contract.
Curry Controls the Negotiations
Curry is scheduled to earn approximately $62.6 million during the 2026-27 season before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
A maximum extension would pay him approximately $65.7 million in 2027-28 and $71 million in 2028-29. He would be 40 years old during the final year of that agreement.
There is little reason to believe the negotiations will become contentious. Curry has spent his entire career with Golden State, winning four championships and two MVP awards while becoming the most important player in franchise history.
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported that neither Curry nor the Warriors is considering a separation.
“He’s not going to be leaving the Golden State Warriors,” Siegel said. “They’re not going to trade him. They’ve had no conversations about that, and he’s not approaching the Warriors about that. He’s going to be retiring with the Warriors.”
Curry’s decision, therefore, is not expected to be about choosing another team. It will be about determining which contract structure gives Golden State its best opportunity to build one more contender around him.
Waiting Could Help Golden State
If Curry waits until next summer, the Warriors could enter the 2027 offseason with more than $100 million in potential salary-cap space. Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green are all entering the final seasons of their contracts.
Apr 17, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of the jersey of Golden State Warriors guardStephenCurry(30) against the Phoenix Suns during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesGolden State could use that flexibility to pursue outside talent and then negotiate a new contract with Curry in free agency. Waiting would also allow Curry to sign for as many as three seasons instead of the two-year maximum available through an extension.
The downside would be the risk Curry assumes by playing another season without long-term security. He has dealt with injuries in recent years and will turn 39 before reaching unrestricted free agency.
A hometown discount is another possibility, but it should only be considered if the Warriors can show Curry exactly how the savings would improve the roster. Taking less money merely to reduce the team’s tax bill would accomplish little.
Curry has earned the right to dictate the terms. The most likely outcome remains that he finishes his career with Golden State. The timing and value of his next contract could determine whether the Warriors have another legitimate championship run left.
