When a free agent starts sending messages in plain sight, you pay attention, and Stephen Curry just did. For the second straight game, he torched the Spurs, this time with a season-high 49 and two free throws to close it out. But the moment everyone replayed was his gesture: a raised “23” (MJ’s jersey) after parting ways with Under Armour. Was it a shot at greatness, or a signal about his next deal?

They might have a connection through golf. However, Curry knew what he accomplished the moment he threw up MJ’s numbers. His sizzling night gave him his 44 forty-point game since turning 30. He now stands equal with the 10-time scoring champion in the most 40-point games since turning 30, and Curry wanted to etch this memory with something special.

“I was aware of it for sure. I didn’t know about being one away until last game, and obviously, I was asked about it. And then when I got over that number like that’s pretty cool, just from an individual accomplishment perspective, just to be able to be in that type of company,” the Warriors star said about his on-court gesture.

And it was an unforgettable performance. Facing Victor Wembanyama after having given away some of his tricks in the previous game, their duel mattered the most. Curry managed to outshine the freakish talent again, scoring 31 in the second half and hitting 9 triples to guide the Warriors to their second-straight win against San Antonio. But the game was never really over until the end.

The Warriors had a two-point lead at halftime, but the Spurs came raging back. Eventually, the Warriors managed to stop De’Aaron Fox from potentially winning the game twice to secure their first win in the NBA Cup. Stephen Curry loved the intensity the competition brought over to the regular season, with a massive cash incentive awaiting the winners. But let’s speak more about what matters. Curry actually wore the Swoosh today.

Could Stephen Curry look to mend fences with Nike?

There’s still some time before Under Armour officially stops producing Curry’s line, with the Curry 13 set to be the final release. But with their agreement essentially finished, the two-time MVP made a subtle statement. During pregame warmups, Stephen Curry stepped onto the floor in Nike, the brand he wore long before becoming a global superstar.

When asked about it, his response didn’t signal any future collaboration. “I’m a free agent,” he told the reporters about wearing the Nike “Mambacita” Kobe 6s.

And those words probably have every major athleisure brand thinking about making an interesting pitch to take on the Curry Brand. Stephen Curry is free to partner with any retailer. Previously, Nike botched its chance 13 years ago. This is their chance to possibly make things right and get one of the most influential individuals in NBA history back on their team.

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They already have two of the most celebrated modern stars – LeBron James and Kevin Durant. The dream to form the holy trinity is right in their sights. What Stephen Curry feels about revisiting this partnership could ultimately be the deciding factor. But Nike is arguably the king on the basketball court, with the largest list of athletes on its roster. And this time, they can’t afford to misjudge Curry.

There’s still a slim chance that he decides to keep the Curry Brand as an individual venture. But with Nike, he would have the resources and the creative freedom to develop and grow the brand in the direction he wants to. The same is the case with Adidas and probably Reebok, which are looking to make a resurgence with Shaquille O’Neal handling the talent.

The doors are wide open, each holding an enticing future behind it. But who will Stephen Curry choose?