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via Imago

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via Imago

It has been a while since Stephen Curry played golf at the Edgewood Tahoe. Approximately two years… No wonder he eagerly returned this week, aiming to capture yet another American Century Championship. The quest will start with Friday’s opening round, but as he navigated the celebrity-amateur event, he had a quick chat with the ‘San Francisco Chronicle’ about basketball.

With the offseason came news about his longtime teammate Kevon Looney leaving in free agency, but the biggest discussion so far has been about Jonathan Kuminga. The Golden State Warriors are in limbo with regard to Kuminga’s restricted free agency and also with potential acquisitions, Al Horford, and De’Anthony Melton. The biggest question here is: What happens to Kuminga?

The player, who averaged 24.3 points in the four losses to the Timberwolves, had found a mild market more than a week into free agency. His future remains uncertain. So when Curry was asked about him, he said, “You’d like contracts to be straightforward, but most of the time they’re not… I love playing with Jonathan, and I know he has a lot of potential to figure it out at a very high level. We’ll see what happens.”

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No, he’s not panicking. Yes, he still hates seeing his longtime teammates leave.

Now, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, Golden State has been asking for a solid young player plus a first-round pick in return for Kuminga. “From what I’ve heard in the Jonathan Kuminga situation… this might take a while,” Lowe said. “Because I think the Warriors want real stuff back, like a decent young player, a first-round pick.

Kuminga’s situation might end in a trade, or it might result in him awkwardly returning to the team that tried to pawn him off. Either way, Stephen Curry is simply focusing on things he can control, despite the tense conversations around him. But one can’t help but see the emotional side of all these shake-ups. Take Kevon Looney, for instance. The man who did all the dirty work, grabbed all the loose balls, and never once complained about averaging fewer touches than a backup punter. He is now in New Orleans and is getting used to their locker room culture.

What’s your perspective on:

Can the Warriors thrive without Kevon Looney, or is his absence a blow to their culture?

Have an interesting take?

With me, Klay and Draymond, we avoided the evils of the NBA and the transitions from year to year for a long time,” Stephen Curry told the San Francisco Chronicle. “Loon was part of that for a decade, instrumental to not only our championship runs but the culture around the locker room.

Every young guy who came in, he gave big-brother vibes even though he was a little brother to us. He was a stable presence for everybody, and we’ll miss his voice and his presence. I’m glad he got paid and got what he earned.

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Looney’s stats? Just 4.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists on 51.4% shooting last season. But his true value was in the intangibles—the glue guy stuff that doesn’t show up in a box score. Steve Kerr even sent him off with a heartfelt video: “This is a tough one,” Kerr said in a goodbye message. “Just your professionalism, your dignity, your class… and of course, the championship contributions you made year after year.

Ten years. Three rings. Zero drama. That’s Kevon Looney. And now he’s off to the Pelicans, who welcomed him like he’s the missing piece to their playoff puzzle.

Stephen Curry: Off the court but still making noise

When he’s not mentoring teammates or quietly wondering what the front office is doing, Stephen Curry is living his best offseason life. At Edgewood Tahoe, he returned to the very same green where he drained the winning eagle putt in 2023. “Obviously, I know I can win now,” Curry said. “That’s a good feeling.” He even admitted that sometimes he still falls asleep thinking about that putt. For context, this is the same guy who once compared winning in golf to hitting buzzer-beaters like Kobe Bryant. If that’s not the most Stephen Curry thing ever, I don’t know what is.

And in between nostalgia tours and golf greatness, he is taking Curry Brand global. For the first time ever, Curry Camp is going international—Asia, to be exact. That’s not all. He’s also introducing the first-ever Curry Con, a brand culture convention in Chongqing, China. Think Comic-Con, but with crossovers, kicks, and a lot more jumpers. “I’m incredibly excited for this year’s tour—not only to host Curry Camp in San Francisco but also to bring it to Asia for the first time,” Stephen Curry tweeted. “I’m looking forward to working with some of the best young athletes in the world.

Under Armour added more: “Attendees will have the chance to explore interactive exhibits, discover the latest product innovations, engage in sports sessions with athletes, and delve deep into the brand’s rich history, core values, and forward-thinking vision.” Curry Brand is building a brand and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.

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But for now, Warrior fans will have to stay patient. Stephen Curry is still here, still calm, still strategizing. And if anyone can drag a team back to relevance with a busted roster and half a bench, it’s Curry. Just don’t expect him to do it alone—again. What do you think?

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Can the Warriors thrive without Kevon Looney, or is his absence a blow to their culture?

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