Potential Reason Why Stephen Curry Is Delaying Warriors Extension Despite $136.7 Million Deal On The Table
Examining a potential reason why Stephen Curry may be delaying his contract extension with the Warriors as becomes eligible for a two-year, $136.7 million deal.
April 17, 2026 saw Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors face the Phoenix Suns in the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Curry, aged 38, was eligible to sign a two-year, $136.7 million deal with the Warriors, which the team was reportedly content to provide him. Due to the Over 38 rule in the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), players over 38 are restricted to signing either a two-year contract with their current team or a three-year contract if they become a free agent.
Curry, who turns 39 in March 2027, will thus become eligible for a three-year extension the following summer, valued at over $200 million. This may explain why Curry is delaying his contract extension. Another possibility is that he wishes to test free agency at least once during his career, aiming to secure a championship. However, there is an "overwhelming likelihood" that Curry will ultimately retire with the Warriors.
Nick Friedell of The Athletic notes that Curry has never been the type to publicly challenge a situation, often conveying discontent through his actions on the court rather than words. Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints suggests Curry might be waiting to become an unrestricted free agent to negotiate a higher salary. Both Siegel and The Athletic agree that Curry will likely remain with the Warriors, as the team has not discussed a trade and Curry has no plans to leave.
This scenario mirrors a pattern seen among superstars who delay contract extensions to maximize their career earnings, such as Nikola Jokic and LeBron James.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
