Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry has now been extension-eligible for a few weeks, but nothing has yet been forthcoming in terms of a new deal for the two-time MVP.
That could be about to change with ESPN's Anthony Slater reporting on Thursday that Curry could come to some clarity over his future in the next week and a half.
Warriors may be days away from major Stephen Curry contract decision
This timeline would align with around about the start of training camp, making for an obvious and understandable schedule that Curry and the Warriors would undoubtedly like to stick to in order to avoid a raft of questions on media day and going forward.
However, a Curry extension in the next fortnight is not a fait accompli according to Slater. There's still a legitimate chance that the 38-year-old chooses to wait things out and give Golden State the flexibility of around $100 million in cap space come free agency next year.
That, of course, opens up the potential of Curry taking the LeBron James path of exiting the franchise as a free agent and signing elsewhere on a cheap deal. There's little need for Warrior fans to stir up anxiety on that idea though, with Slater reiterating that Curry waiting until free agency would be simply about giving the team greater flexibility as opposed to at all considering a move elsewhere.
In the meantime, Curry is eligible to sign a two-year deal worth a maximum of $136.7 million. He can take a pay cut but only to around $37.5 million annually. If he reaches free agency, the 12x All-Star can sign any contract starting at the minimum as we just saw with James and his shock move to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Stephen Curry has no interest in LeBron James path
Ironically on the same day as Slater's report, Curry was asked during an interview on CNBC if he had any interest in going down the James path to which he emphatically shut down.
“Not at all. I’ve always stated that I want to be a lifer with Golden State,” Curry said. “What we’ve built there. The fact that I get to run it back this year with Draymond (Green) and coach (Steve) Kerr.”
That's always been the difference between comparing the respective situations of the two stars. James had been with the Los Angeles Lakers for eight seasons, but that's only after building his legendary career at the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat.
Curry, on the other hand, has been a Warrior from the moment he entered the league, and it appears like it will remain that way regardless of whether he signs a contract in the coming days or waits until free agency.
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