Stephen Curry's future has been a source of speculation over the last six weeks, particularly after the Golden State Warriors missed on LeBron James and delivered an underwhelming offseason after failing to make the playoffs.
But Curry can officially silence any question marks over his future, or any thoughts of a blockbuster trade away from the Warriors by signing a contract extension. The two-time MVP becomes eligible on Saturday to sign a two-year, $136.7 million deal, and doing so would take him past 40-years-old and all but ensure he retires a one franchise player.
Stephen Curry can silence trade rumors with imminent contract move
Despite a tough offseason, injuries to Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, and an external expectation of once again being a Play-In Tournament team, there's still a belief that Curry will sign an extension that takes him out of next year's potential free agency class.
The overwhelming likelihood has always been that Curry will sign and the Warriors will go about business as usual, with him as the focal point of everything they do," The Athletic's Nick Friedell wrote on Friday.
Yet there's an alternative path that should at least be considered as a possibility. Curry pushing pause on an extension could cause all kinds of chaos, and would only serve to raise more speculation over his future should he enter the season on an expiring contract.
As disappointing as that might be, it may actually be the best thing for Golden State and is a direction fans could understand Curry taking. Not putting pen to paper would be a signal that he's not content with the current roster, and if it's a way of pushing Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the front office into a major move, many fans would be on board with that approach.
Warriors could also benefit from Stephen Curry not signing an extension
There's also a world in which Curry doesn't sign because he wants the Warriors to have as much flexibility as possible entering the mid-season trade deadline, and more importantly in free agency next year.
After seeing James take a minimum deal at the Philadelphia 76ers this summer, perhaps Curry would be willing to make a similar move which would give Golden State even more cap space than already projected.
The downside to that is the scrutiny over his future will reach a level never seen before, even if the 12x All-Star keeps declaring his wish to remain at the Warriors. Only time will tell which path Curry takes, but an extension could now be just around the corner.
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