Steph Curry Extension Eligible as Warriors Face Roster Trade Speculation

Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry becomes eligible to lock in a two-year, $137 million contract extension starting Saturday in the Bay Area, amidst mounting external speculation regarding the franchise's direction following consecutive seasons struggling to advance deep in the Western Conference playoffs.

Golden State re-signed core contributors Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, De'Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II this offseason, running back a core that finished tenth in the Western Conference and failed to advance past the play-in tournament.

Analyst Jake Weinbach documented the franchise's summer moves on social media, noting that the team elected to keep its veteran nucleus intact despite recent postseason shortcomings.

"The Warriors are officially running it back despite missing the playoffs last season. Golden State re-signed Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, De'Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II this summer," Weinbach posted.

Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins publicly urged the four-time champion to evaluate options outside of Golden State during a broadcast segment.

"Steph needs to be planning his exit strategy from the Golden State Warriors," Perkins said on 'NBA Today'. "Think about it, over the last four years, the Warriors have been in the play-in tournament. And this year, the way that the West is stacked up, they're gonna be a play-in tournament team again. You can't waste any more time hoping and banking that Mike Dunleavy is gonna get it right or is gonna make the moves that are needed to make sure that you can compete for a title, especially in a tough Western Conference."

Perkins expanded on the franchise's recent performance ceiling and roster construction during the same appearance.

"Steph needs to be planning his exit strategy from the Golden State Warriors. Not this year, but think about it: Over the last four years, the Warriors have been in the play-in tournament. And guess what?

This year, the way that the West has stacked up? They’re going to be a play-in tournament team again," Perkins said. "So, if you’re Stephen Curry, going on the age of 39, and you look at this roster knowing that you have four NBA championships and knowing what a championship roster looks like, you can’t waste any more time hoping and thinking that Mike Dunleavy is going to get it right or make the moves that’s needed to make sure you’re able to compete for a title, especially in a tough Western Conference."

Sports Illustrated analyst Eric Jay Santos outlined a theoretical framework that would send Curry to the Houston Rockets in exchange for contract matching assets and future draft picks.

"Due to his $62.5 million salary for the 2026-2027 regular season, there aren’t many routes for the Rockets to acquire Curry via trade. One of the most realistic offers that Houston’s front office can make is Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr., JD Davison, and draft compensation," Santos wrote.

An anonymous general manager commented on former All-Star Dejounte Murray, who is also being monitored as a potential trade candidate ahead of the deadline after returning from an Achilles injury.

"He is a guy I am interested to see how he looks, because just getting back last year was a really good thing for him, and if he can still play and defend at his usual level, there is going to be a market for him," one general manager said.

Golden State retains the ability to offer Curry a maximum two-year extension through Saturday, while holding potential cap space exceeding $100 million for the following offseason depending on how the front office structures future contracts.