Matt Barnes has a trade idea.
Steph Curry is entering the final season of his contract with the Golden State Warriors, and while he has made it clear that he would like to retire on the only team that he has ever played for, that’s not going to stop speculation that he may wind up elsewhere before wrapping up his Hall of Fame career.
Steph is owed $62 million this season before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
If the Warriors aren’t able to agree to an extension with the superstar by the trade deadline, and they don’t have enough assurances that he’ll be returning the following season, there will be continued speculation about his future in the Bay.
Steph is eligible to sign a two-year, $136.7 million maximum contract extension with the Warriors.
Matt Barnes Trade Idea
Fans and experts are going to come up with all kinds of trade scenarios throughout the season until there is more clarity on Steph’s future, and former player Matt Barnes had one idea that would send Steph to the San Antonio Spurs to compete alongside Victor Wembanyama.
Barnes suggested that the Spurs trade De’Aaron Fox and other pieces to the Warriors for Curry, noting that the Spurs “got two big draft picks this year.”
He said that Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle didn’t need to be part of the trade.
The Spurs drafted Jayden Quaintance with the 20th overall pick and Tarris Reed Jr. with the 26th overall pick. Both are frontcourt players viewed with high upside.
Quaintance is a strong rim protector, but tore his ACL in February 2025 and underwent knee surgery this summer. Reed is another inside presence with two-way upside.
Would The Warriors Do It?
Fox would have to be part of the deal just to make the money work, but taking on his contract won’t be enough. Though Quaintance and Reed have potential, they have yet to play in the NBA and it remains to be seen what they bring to the table. If they prove to be impact players by the trade deadline, this trade makes more sense.
But the Warriors have little reason to acquire Fox’s deal, which pays him $55 million annually until 2030, without also getting a number of first-round picks and one of Castle, Harper, or Devin Vassell.
The Warriors don’t want to lose Steph for nothing, but they also don’t want to hamper their flexibility into the future. Unless Steph makes it clear that he wants to go to San Antonio, the Spurs would have to give up a lot more for the four-time champion.
