Stephen Curry’s reported two-year, $116 million extension gives the Warriors more time with the greatest player in franchise history. It does not make them a championship contender. (www.nba.com)
Curry said Golden State still believes it can compete for a title, while acknowledging that the team needs to “reimagine what that looks like.” But the Warriors made no move this offseason that fundamentally changed their aging core. (www.nbcsports.com)
Their starting point is the play-in. Golden State went 37–45 last season, finished 10th in the West and failed to reach the playoffs. Jimmy Butler is working back from an ACL injury. The younger players can contribute, but none has established himself as the kind of second star who could lift this team through a championship run. (www.nba.com)
Could the Warriors improve during the season? Absolutely. Could a healthy Curry lead them into the playoffs? Yes. But moving from play-in team to title threat requires more than a useful addition at the trade deadline. **A blockbuster deal for a younger impact star is the one move that could change the conversation.
Curry has earned the chance to finish his career in Golden State. The extension secures that future. Now the Warriors have to decide whether they can put a real contender around him while he is still playing at this level.
