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Stephen Curry Advised to Leave $215 Million Warriors Contract for Dream Anthony Edwards Pairing

Published 03/29/2024, 12:01 AM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

Right after winning his fourth championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2022, Stephen Curry announced, I don’t want to leave ever. I want this to be my one and only home.” Two years on, Curry’s perception may not have changed; but many feel a fifth championship with the Dubs may not be in the cards.

For quite some time now, rumors have suggested the Warriors would trade for Karl-Anthony Towns. And together with Curry, they’ll fight for a ring. But in this hypothetical, brought up on The Odd Couple radio show, Steph was teamed up with KAT and Anthony Edwards to potentially fight for a championship in Minnesota. Could the Chef drop his $215 million contract with the Warriors (which expires in 2026) and move on to greener pastures with the Ant-Man?

In a conversation with Martin Weiss, NBA analyst Chris Broussard asked whether Curry would leave the Warriors to chase another title. Echoing almost every Warriors fan’s sentiment, Weiss replied, “I would like to see him retire a Warrior even if his championship-winning days are over.” However, as far as winning another ring is concerned, this is where the Timberwolves hypothetical entered the conversation.

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“Let’s say, hypothetically speaking, the Warriors traded him to Minnesota for Mike Conley and a couple of other players – to a team that is young, in the top half of the West, got another star next to him like Anthony Edwards,” said Weiss. But can the Warriors afford to lose Curry now?

Certainly not, as he is still the leading scorer with better averages than before. The last time the Warriors were the NBA champions, Steph Curry, who then averaged 25.5 points, had the highest points in a total of 40 (out of 82) regular season games. Come 2024, now averaging 26.5 points, we are looking at a bigger figure; 46 (out of 73) games to be precise (not to forget, we still have 9 games lined up till April 14). This, combined with Klay Thompson’s decline (a decrease from 20.4 to 17.4) along with Andrew Wiggin’s average point decrease of 4.2 points over the last two seasons, further makes the case for Curry steering the ship for the Warriors.

For Broussard, Stephen Curry’s move would take place solely depending on his contribution to the team. “If he’s just kind of a role player, averaging 14 points a game, and it’s Edwards and KAT carrying him, he’s just doing his little bit, that’s different. That, to me, is not worth it. But if he were to go to Minnesota, give him 25 [points] a night, and Anthony Edwards is giving him 24, 26, then that’s a whole different story,” added the analyst.

When Broussard mentioned that winning a championship elsewhere would add to his legacy, he referenced that the 36-year-old is in the “GOAT point guard conversation.” And a fifth ring could potentially solidify his status as the GOAT if he switches teams, builds it around himself, and wins.

When it comes to a partnership with Anthony Edwards, it’s quite well-known that Curry holds the 22-year-old in a very high light. Following the Warriors star’s 2023 Curry Camp, Complex asked him if there was anyone in particular whom he thought would have a chance to be special. Reminiscing about the 2018 edition of the camp, Curry revealed, “Anthony Edwards, for sure.” Together, along with Karl-Anthony Towns, they could be a formidable trio.

Although Stephen Curry has reiterated how he wants to stay with the Warriors until the end, he did reveal where else he could see himself. “If there was a team that I did want to play for that was not named the Warriors, [the Hornets] would be it.” That said, knowing Curry’s run, the chance of these hypotheticals turning out to be true boils down to his will to make a move. Would the Chef even consider being traded to Minnesota? Here’s a brief history for you to help decide.

The Warriors’ window & Stephen Curry’s choice

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In 2009, five teams passed on the “skinny kid” from Davidson. That “kid” is now the undisputed king of the 3-point shot, a 9-time All-Star, a walking highlight reel, and the architect of 4 Golden State Warriors championships!

It was Curry’s draft night, and the Minnesota Timberwolves held the fifth and sixth picks that year. Their then-GM, David Kahn, snatched Spanish prospect Ricky Rubio at five and Syracuse’s Jonny Flynn at six. Curry, meanwhile, slid to the Warriors at seven, a decision that made waves through the league. Neither Rubio nor Flynn panned out for the T-Wolves, and Kahn was fired within four years. The draft night debacle remains one of the biggest drafting blunders in NBA history.

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Fast forward to the present. The Warriors recently extended Coach Steve Kerr’s contract until 2026. Klay Thompson has been downgraded to a more reserved role, potentially leading to a smaller contract. Draymond Green’s deal runs until 2026 with a player option for the following year. Barring any unforeseen epic-ness, 2026 marks the potential expiration date of the Warriors saga. The Warriors have three seasons to orchestrate a potential three-peat, a victory lap for this legendary crew.

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However, with the franchise currently struggling to find its lost form, is that even a possibility? What do you think? Will Stephen Curry see out his NBA career with the Warriors, or could he chase that fifth championship elsewhere? (Probably not in Minnesota; if you know, you know!)

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Written by:

Aakritee Raajj

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One take at a time

A lawyer turned NBA Writer at EssentiallySports, Aakritee Raajj found herself in the right realm as soon as she dropped her black coat to don the Mavericks’ jersey in the NBA department. That’s how the content strategy desk trusts her with any coverage demanding a legal knowhow. She became a fan of the league in the late 2000’s after Dirk Nowitzki upset the Miami Heat in Game 6 during 2011 NBA Finals.
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Edited by:

Shivatmika Manvi