The staggering figures behind Stephen Curry's new Warriors contract, which means he'll retire with the Golden State Warriors

S tephen Curry ’s future in Golden State was never expected to become a drawn-out drama, and the bigger question was how much flexibility the Warriors would have left once their 38-year-old superstar signed his next contract. Now there is an answer as Curry has agreed to a two-year, $116 million extension with the Warriors , a deal that includes a player option for the 2028-29 NBA season. It will take his guaranteed career earnings to roughly $650 million.

The deal also ensures that the final stage of his career remains tied to the only franchise he has ever played for but the more revealing part of the agreement, though, is that Curry reportedly could have earned considerably more. League salary rules would have allowed him to approach roughly $137 million over two years. By settling for less, Curry leaves Golden State with additional maneuverability as it tries to build another contender around him. That was clearly part of his thinking. “We’re in a very interesting situation,” Curry said recently. “All the different salary cap conditions of whether I sign for a max or less or whatever it is, I want to be on a competitive team.”

Curry’s contract gives the Warriors room to think bigger

Now the Warriors are still projected to have substantial cap space in for the 2027-28 NBA season, although the precise nature of that figure will depend on what happens with their own players. Thus, Golden State ’s immediate challenge is not simply keeping Curry . It is deciding what the roster around him should look like over the next two seasons as they chase glory. Jimmy Butler , Draymond Green and Brandin Podziemsk i are all due to reach free agency in 2027, while Kristaps Porzingis also has a player option that could affect the team’s plans. So Golden State could make sweeping changes. It could also choose continuity and supplement the existing core. Either way, Curry ’s extension gives the front office a much clearer framework. And the reason for the deal? One last championship pursuit. Curry is entering his 18th season, and the Warriors have not reached the Western Conference Finals since winning the 2022 title and that history explains the urgency behind the contract. “It’s just a very unique situation all the way around,” Curry added. “Based on where we’ve been the last four years, where I’m at in my career, what our team looks like this year and the absolute desperation to win. Trying to balance all that.” But Golden State still has one major variable to solve. The contract settles his future, but it does not remove the biggest risk, and his health will be critical for any push to the NBA Finals . Curry missed almost half of last season while dealing largely with a runner’s knee, and those title hopes still depend heavily on his ability to stay on the floor. The Warriors now know he is sticking around, but will he be available when it counts?