Curry turned down the max this fall, and at media day he explained that his reasons had more to do with the Bay Area than the money.
Point guard Stephen Curry could have taken every dollar the Golden State Warriors had to offer, but on Monday at media day he explained why staying in one place still means so much to him.
Curry said the max was on the table, and he still took a two-year, $116 million extension on Friday that came in about $20 million under the most he could have gotten.
A Deal Built Around Finishing at Home
The new contract gives Curry $55.7 million in 2027-28 with a player option for the 2028-29 season, and he is set to make $62.6 million this season on his current contract, according to a breakdown of the deal.
The Warriors also finalized the two-year extension before camp, which let Curry talk about more than numbers with reporters.
Curry is 38 years old and is heading into his 18th season, all of them with Golden State since the team drafted him seventh overall in 2009.
He has won four titles and two MVP awards with the same franchise, and when he was asked why that still matters, his answer at media day came down to pride.
"There's a pride of representing the Bay, representing this franchise, that when I stepped foot here in '09 and what we've all been able to accomplish, this isn't just a 'me' thing, it's a 'we.' I want to do right by that."
He also called Golden State home and said finishing the story the right way is a big part of what he can control, as long as he stays healthy.
Why the Discount Helps the Warriors
General manager Mike Dunleavy said Curry was generous in taking less money to help the team, and he added that the deal almost ensures Curry finishes his career with Golden State while keeping some flexibility for the front office.
The GM was clearly excited about the extension, and head coach Steve Kerr said the team never doubted for a minute that Curry would re-sign.
The front office needs that flexibility, because this roster has real holes.
Golden State went 37-45 last season and finished 10th in the West, and Curry played in only 43 games while averaging 26.6 points.
The Warriors also missed out on forward LeBron James, who picked the Philadelphia 76ers instead.
Health is the biggest worry heading into camp.
Forward Jimmy Butler tore the ACL in his right knee on Jan. 19, and he and guard Moses Moody are expected to miss at least half the season, as the San Francisco Chronicle reported during media day.
Center Kristaps Porziņģis is also out indefinitely with a health issue, which adds another concerning update to the list.
What Comes Next
The Warriors hold their first practice on Tuesday in Hawaii, they open the preseason against the Los Angeles Clippers in Honolulu on Sunday, and the regular season starts Oct. 21 against the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.
Curry could have squeezed the team for more, but he made it easier to build around him instead.
He wants to win again in Golden State, and now the rest of the roster has to stay healthy long enough to turn that discount into wins.
