Veteran reporter Marcus Thompson believes the extension is a done deal, and the evidence around the organization supports that view.
Point guard Stephen Curry has been eligible to sign a one-year, $62.6 million extension with the Golden State Warriors since late August, and the fact that pen has not met paper yet has caused some fans to wonder what the holdup is.
The answer, according to someone who has covered the team for over a decade, is that there is no holdup at all.
Thompson Puts the Worry to Rest
Warriors beat writer Marcus Thompson went on record this week with a message that should settle any remaining conversation around Curry's future.
"Steph is re-signing. Steph isn't going anywhere. He never was."
Thompson has been one of the most connected reporters on the Warriors beat for years, and his confidence here comes from years of access, not guesswork.
He explained during a recent appearance that the organization has kept Curry involved in roster decisions and that the two sides have been in regular communication throughout the offseason.
The timing of the actual signing is less about any disagreement and more about working through the details on both ends.
Curry will turn 39 in March, and the one-year extension would keep him under contract through the 2027-28 season.
At $62.6 million, it is a massive number for a player approaching 40, but the Warriors have shown no indication that they see it any differently than the front office has for years.
General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has been open about the team's plans to build a competitive roster around Curry for as long as he wants to play.
What This Means for Golden State
The reason some fans have been uneasy is that the Warriors are in a tricky spot as an organization.
They are trying to stay competitive while also planning for what comes after Curry, and the balance between those two goals has not always been smooth.
Last season's results raised questions about whether the supporting cast is good enough, and Curry's knee concerns from earlier this offseason added another layer of worry.
But none of that changes what the extension means.
Curry is the greatest player in franchise history, and the Warriors are not going to let him finish his career anywhere else if they can help it.
The financial commitment is large, but the alternative of letting Curry test the open market would be a much bigger problem for the organization and the fanbase.
Why the Timing Is Fine
Contract negotiations between franchise players and the teams that built around them rarely happen on a fan's timeline.
The details of a deal this size take time to finalize, and both sides have every incentive to make sure the structure works for the long-term salary cap picture in Golden State.
The Warriors have new pieces on the roster and a training camp to prepare for, and getting the extension done before opening night has always been the most realistic timeline.
Curry has spent his entire career in Golden State, and nothing coming out of the organization suggests that is changing anytime soon.
The only people worried about this extension are the ones who have not been paying close enough attention to what has been happening all along.
