Nearly a decade after it happened, Curry is finally opening up about one of the most pivotal moments in Warriors history. While promoting his new book Shot Ready, Curry sat down for an interview where old photos of him and Kevin Durant sparked a wave of reflection. He then proceeded to pull back the curtain, giving us details previously unknown.

In the summer of 2016, with Durant weighing his free agency options, the Warriors’ stars didn’t just make a pitch; they made history. Curry confirmed that the so-called “Hamptons 5” trip wasn’t just a symbolic gesture, but a genuine players-only conversation that tipped the scales in Golden State’s favor. And the payoff was staggering, both on the court and off it.

“That’s where the Hamptons 5 nickname came,” Curry explained. “Myself, Draymond, Klay, Andre — we all flew out and just had a talk. It’s just us five, like having a conversation to the point of understanding, like, ‘What do you want to get out of your career, your prime?’” The discussion went beyond a typical pitch; roles, respect, and accountability were laid out clearly. Durant wasn’t just hearing words; he was seeing how this group of champions communicated, collaborated, and trusted one another, setting the tone for one of the NBA’s most dominant dynasties.

Curry revealed, amongst other stories during his press tour, that even after the front office made its case, the proper moment came when management left the room. “Once that was over, we went and had our own meeting — just players,” he said. “That was where the real talk came, like, what can I expect, how do you do things?… He asked all great questions and we were being honest… no jealousy, no envy, no territory battles.” The stakes couldn’t have been higher. If Durant said no, the Warriors risked looking desperate, vulnerable, even fractured after their Finals loss. If he said yes, the league’s balance of power would be altered overnight.

It wasn’t just about basketball. Golden State’s owners and front office knew the addition of Durant would send their profile soaring: more TV slots, more global attention, more demand at Oracle Arena. By the very next year, their revenue jumped from $305 million in 2015-16 to $359 million in 2016-17, a staggering $54 million boost directly tied to the KD effect. But before any of that, it came down to one conversation behind closed doors.

The meeting that changed everything

Looking back, Curry could only smile at the moment: “What a time, right? What a time.” After losing in the 2016 NBA Finals in heartbreaking fashion, the Warriors’ core faced the pressure of proving they could win another championship. Durant’s decision carried enormous weight, because his arrival could immediately make Golden State the premier powerhouse in the league while cementing a new era of dominance for the franchise.

Durant, speaking back in 2016, admitted he was stunned that Golden State’s core even bothered to show up: “I was shocked that those four guys came to meet me a couple of days ago. The team won 73 games and a championship before. I didn’t think they would be interested in a player like me because they’ve had so much success.” His reaction underscores how much of a difference it can make when star players invest personally in recruiting another superstar. It wasn’t just a phone call or a meeting with executives; it was the top five players showing up and laying the cultural groundwork themselves.

He added that the key to the meeting’s success was honesty about roles and expectations. “We all value each other. We all understand the role that we play,” Curry said, reflecting on how the players ensured Durant would feel comfortable and respected from day one. The group discussed not just on-court spacing and shot distribution, but also locker-room dynamics, accountability, and how conflicts would be handled.

That culture of clarity and trust turned a high-stakes gamble into a dynasty-building move that would reshape the NBA for years, both competitively and financially.