Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry agreed to a two-year, $116 million contract extension on September 25, 2026, tying the franchise legend to the team through his 20th NBA season. The deal includes a player option for the 2028-29 season and features a slight pay cut to boost the team’s salary cap flexibility.
The Golden State Warriors locked in their defining player-team partnership just three days before the start of training camp. Stephen Curry agreed to a two-year, $116 million contract extension, according to reporting from ESPN’s Shams Charania. The agreement guarantees that the four-time NBA champion and two-time Most Valuable Player will remain with the franchise through his 20th season. ESPN’s Shams Charania was first to break the news. A true legend of the Bay, here to stay. A contract extension has been finalized keeping Stephen Curry, a four-time NBA champion and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, with the Golden State Warriors.
Financial Breakdown and the Salary Cap Strategy
Financial Breakdown and the Salary Cap Strategy
Curry is currently playing out an expiring contract worth $62.6 million. When he became eligible for an extension on August 29, he could have pursued a maximum deal worth up to $136.7 million over two years. Instead, he left more than $20 million on the table by accepting a lower total value to give the front office financial maneuverability.
Under the new terms, Curry’s salary will drop from $62.6 million next season to $55.7 million for the 2027-28 season, followed by a player option for $60.2 million for the 2028-29 campaign. Team officials laid out these projections during recent talks, illustrating how a modest discount would generate roughly $10 million in extra projected cap space next summer.
That additional flexibility arrives at an opportune moment for Golden State’s books. Expiring contracts for Jimmy Butler III, who carries a $56.8 million figure, and Draymond Green, set at $27.6 million, will come off the books next summer. Meanwhile, veteran center Kristaps Porzingis carries just $3 million guaranteed on a $20 million salary, creating a projected cap space opening between $38 million and $55 million depending on future roster decisions. Next summer, Podziemski carries a $17 million cap hold while still awaiting an extension, as noted by ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Weighing Options and Chasing Competitiveness
Weighing Options and Chasing Competitiveness
The negotiations required nearly a month of deliberation as Curry weighed the security of a guaranteed payday against the absolute necessity of maintaining a championship-caliber supporting cast. Speaking candidly about the unique calculus, Curry described the balancing act. We're in a very interesting situation,
Curry told ESPN earlier this week. “All the different salary cap conditions of whether I sign for a max or less or whatever it is, I want to be on a competitive team. I want to have an opportunity to have some flexibility because we haven’t had that in years past, the recent past. … This team should have flexibility to make necessary moves if things happen. Those are always just the considerations.”
That desire for roster mobility drove his choice to pass on a maximum payout or drag out negotiations into the season. Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy praised the star’s ongoing commitment to the franchise as training camp approached.
We couldn’t be more excited about reaching an agreement with Stephen and extending his historic career with the Warriors,
Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy said in the team’s announcement. “Personally, I don’t think there has ever been a better face to a franchise in professional sports history, both on and off the court, than Stephen Curry with the Warriors. He embodies everything this organization strives to represent through his legendary play on the court, his unique leadership and sacrifice, and his unmatched impact in the community.”
Historic Longevity in San Francisco
Should Curry play through the 2028-29 season under this agreement, he will complete 20 seasons with Golden State. That milestone places him in rare territory across professional basketball history, joining a group of players who spent 20 or more seasons with a single franchise.
Dirk Nowitzki played 21 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks. Kobe Bryant logged 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. Udonis Haslem spent 20 seasons with the Miami Heat.
Across 43 appearances for Golden State during the 2025-26 campaign, Curry put up averages of 26.6 points and 4.7 assists over 30.9 minutes per game. As he steps into his 18th campaign, his shooting marks continue to look exceptional, holding at 39.3% from beyond the arc, 46.8% from the field, and 92.3% on free throws.