Stephen Curry has played alongside shifting rosters, headline-making trades, and more contract drama than most franchises endure in a decade. However, heading into the 2025–26 season, the Warriors’ most significant uncertainty doesn’t come from a blockbuster move, but from Jonathan Kuminga’s negotiations. And once again, Curry has stepped into the role of a franchise anchor and the guy who finds a way to keep the locker room aligned. 

Golden State enters camp with its usual contradictions. There’s a 22-year-old forward who flashed starter-level numbers last season, averaging 17.1 points and 5.1 rebounds when in the first unit. There’s also a front office weighing a three-year, $75.2 million offer with $48 million guaranteed, all while rival teams circle with trade interest. The conversation is loud. The math is complicated. And the chemistry questions aren’t small either. It’s here where Curry’s words carry weight. “We talk about it for sure,” he said of Kuminga’s contract chaos.

“As leaders on the team, you gotta acknowledge what’s going on… Knowing JK’s situation, knowing the new faces that were added, we talk about it every year going into a training camp of what it’s gonna take for that team to win.” His tone wasn’t about drama, but about clarity. Curry stressed that Kuminga’s process deserves respect, but when the season tips off, the expectation is straightforward: “We expect him to be locked in on doing what he needs to do to help us win.” That’s Curry for you in a nutshell. Twenty-six playoff series, four rings, two MVPs, and yet still tuned into the details of keeping teammates aligned.

The NBA’s most dangerous shooter has thrived on rhythm, and now, his focus is on rhythm inside the locker room. He knows contract rumors can linger, and his job isn’t to solve the dollars but to set the tone. And well, Curry isn’t new to watching teammates juggle contracts and futures.

He saw it with Draymond Green, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson. He’s lived through extensions that kept cores intact and departures that reshaped the dynasty. His approach this time somehow feels familiar: acknowledge, support, but keep the team’s compass pointed toward winning. Meanwhile, Kuminga’s leverage keeps the Warriors guessing.

What this means for Stephen Curry’s Golden State

Starter numbers put pressure on the front office. Lineup data adds another layer with Kuminga in certain trios, as 36 points outscored Golden State in 105 minutes. Remove him; the identical lineups jumped to +180 in nearly 1,000 minutes: high upside, but undeniable risk.

Veteran reinforcements add their own subplot. De’Anthony Melton signed on to stabilize the backcourt, bringing defense and playmaking. Al Horford, the 39-year-old floor spacer and leader, gives Kerr another frontcourt voice. Both moves tilt the roster toward experience, making Curry’s job more nuanced.

He must blend youth and veterans without letting contract noise overshadow chemistry. And then there’s Pat Spencer. Rumors of his return floated on social media, suggesting a potential two-way spot could open. Fans remember the spark of 11 points in 13 minutes against Houston before an ejection that summed up his scrappy style.

However, Spencer’s path looks narrow, with veterans like Gary Payton II and Melton in the mix. Curry, who has always had an eye for role players who bring energy, would no doubt value the spirit, even if the minutes aren’t there.

For Golden State’s front office, every move has a ripple. Kuminga’s deal could lock them into years of cap complications, but losing him risks wasting Curry’s final prime seasons. At 37, Steph’s $59.6 million salary this year reflects his place at the top of the payroll but also magnifies the urgency. The Warriors can’t afford missteps.

And Curry put it best: “Some things are straightforward, and some things aren’t, and this is definitely in the aren’t.” His words capture the uncertainty, but also the resolve. The franchise is in flux, yet its leader is unchanged. So, where does it leave Golden State? With a legend who keeps steering the narrative back to winning. With a young star whose decision could shape the team’s ceiling. And with a fanbase that knows this era won’t last forever.

The question now isn’t whether Stephen Curry will keep delivering leadership. It’s whether the Warriors’ next moves, from Kuminga’s contract to rotation depth, will match the standard Curry has set for over a decade. Training camp is just the start, and as always in Golden State, the baby-faced assassin steadies the storm.