With training camp set to open next week, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry said his unsettled contract extension situation will have zero impact on his play or the team's vibe entering the season.
"I don't want there to be no drama," Curry told ESPN on Wednesday. "No talking points. This team should be competitive and go win."
On Aug. 29, Curry became eligible for an extension of up to two years and $136.7 million off his current one-year, $62.6 million expiring deal. The Warriors immediately presented him with a menu of options, team sources said, including max money, slightly smaller pay cuts or the ability to wait and decide later, depending on what the front office could eventually generate with extra flexibility.
Curry has contemplated the choices for nearly a month and, as of this week, held off on committing to any of them. The Warriors begin practice next week in Hawaii and open the regular season on Oct. 21 in Los Angeles against the Lakers.
"It's going to happen at the right time, once I have all the information I need to make the decision that is right," Curry said. "The team's been great having that conversation back and forth. If I don't sign, it won't affect me in terms of my play or carrying that weight. But I'll make the decision when I'm ready."
Curry again made it clear that this has nothing to do with him testing free agency, calling it his "obvious goal" to remain with the Warriors for the entirety of his career.
If he opts for his max, it will significantly slash the Warriors' projected cap space next summer. Loaded with expiring contracts, they're currently projected to have more than $100 million in cap space. Curry's max -- or anything near -- would reduce it to around $45 million.
"We're in a very interesting situation," Curry said. "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. I want to have an opportunity to have some flexibility because we haven't had that in years past, the recent past.
"... This team should have flexibility to make necessary moves if things happen. Those are always just the considerations. For me, information and patience is key. It's just a very unique situation all the way around 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."
Curry, 38, is entering his 18th NBA season. There is clear appeal to locking into one or two more seasons at big money, but he has developed enough of a trusting relationship with general manager Mike Dunleavy and the front office to at least marinate on the choice.
Curry was limited to 43 games last season because of persistent pain and swelling in his right knee. He was in San Diego this week at a team function organized by teammate Jimmy Butler and said his body is ready for the start of training camp.
"The idea of getting back to work is exciting," Curry said. "I feel like I've taken advantage of the offseason. I feel like there's no hesitation about where I'm at physically going in. ... But I'm excited about getting back to work."
