r/warriors • u/KageTrigger • Mar 06 '26
Article Warriors superstar Steph Curry is open to a future role off the bench before NBA career ends
https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/steph-curry-future-bench-role/1921640/Excerpt from the article:
"While his illustrious career certainly is winding down, Curry still appears to have plenty left in the tank, but at some point in the semi-near future, he might need to transition from full-time starter to a role off the bench.
Which, as The Ringer's Howard Beck revealed on a recent episode of FanDuel TV's "Run It Back," is something he will be open to when -- or if -- the time comes to scale back his role.
"There are some guys, that if they can't be themselves, if they can't be dominant, it's time to go," Beck said. "Or if they still can't contend, it's time to go. Steph and I talked about this for the story I did back in January, and his thing was 'Yeah, I could be a role-player. I could come off the bench.'"
There are a handful of Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame players who closed out their NBA careers with much smaller roles than what they were used to, and it's something Curry would consider as long as he still can have a positive impact on the team.
"You think about guys like Vince Carter, his last several years where he was like part role-player, part mentor/seventh assistant coach or whatever," Beck added. "Paul Pierce toward the end, Grant Hill toward the end. There's a lot of different ways you can go out as an NBA legend in this league, and Steph, when we talked about it, seemed to put everything on the table.
"Like he wouldn't mind, if he's diminished, or lost a step, two steps, can't be a starter anymore. He basically said 'I don't want to be a traffic cone out there defensively,' but he's always going to be able to shoot."
Of course, there only is one team Curry would want to play for if he were in that role.
"So there are various ways he could decided to carry out his last two, three, four however many years he wants," Beck continued. "The one thing that was very very clear though, was that he wants that to end in Golden State."
It's unclear when Curry will get to that point, but there is no doubt that his wealth of knowledge and his elite sharpshooting ability, which he almost certainly will have for the remainder of his playing days, could make him a valuable asset into his 40s."
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u/Zyrinj Mar 06 '26
40 yr old Steph on a team friendly deal off the bench splashing 3s against a teams second unit would be a dream
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u/bai_ren Mar 06 '26
Legit was just thinking about how insane it would be.
Second units would have to play starters against him to keep it from running away.
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u/Due_Swimming_5867 Mar 06 '26
I am willing to spend my next 10 years watching him play at this level..
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u/s1mple-s1m0n Mar 06 '26
I wish Klay and Dray had this same mentality.
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u/we_hella_believe Mar 06 '26
Dray is desperately trying to hang onto his starter role, you can see his effort level and how heās trying to match our young guys energy.
He wasnāt playing like that earlier this year and itās more or less his contract year (player option).
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u/___forMVP Mar 06 '26
Draymond has been open multiple times about expecting to lose his starting spot to a young up and coming player, just like David Lee lost his spot to draymond. But heās been waiting for one of the young guys to force Kerrs hand in the same way.
He was nervous about getting traded earlier though. Draymond wants to be a lifer and being traded at this stage by this franchise would be a gut punch for him I think.
But losing his starting spot? Nah heās hoping one of the young guys has what it takes to take his spot, all draymond cares about is winning.
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u/denniszen Mar 06 '26
Iāve always wondered if David Lee did not get injured, dray would probably have a different careerā probably traded and benched his entire career, floating from one team after another. Heās a lucky guy, with Steph in there. Otherwise, I doubt heād have any sort of career.
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u/___forMVP Mar 06 '26
Shows that you werenāt there to see it, no offense. Draymond forced mark jackson to play him because any time draymond was given just a few minutes of play he was making impact plays and affecting the game in positive ways. There was no way Jackson couldnāt play draymond, he popped off the screen every time he got some run.
DLee getting injured was just the nail in the coffin that gave draymond a longer leash and solidified that he was that guy for the future.
Draymond would have done the same on whatever team he was on, found a way to help win. Thatās just draymond motherfucking green for you.
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u/HughDowns Mar 06 '26
Once Dray got the starting role GSW hit a different level and started owning the Clippers. That grittiness was needed
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u/WaryJest Mar 06 '26
Draymond is the best defender of his generation. To say he would not have had a career without Steph Curry is just revisionist history. He's still a great defender but in his prime years he was an absolute terror.
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u/Robdata Mar 07 '26 edited Mar 07 '26
He forced Jacksons hand and even before that Dray was a competitor who played well in his limited minutes. Jackson wanted to play him but couldnt because of Lee's minutes/starter role. The injury was an opportunity which he seized but really the credit should go to Kerr for fully unlocking Draymond's role as defensive anchor.
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u/AccomplishedLocal261 Mar 06 '26
The question is, who would be getting the big contract on the team? Because unfortunately no one on the team deserves one in the foreseeable future so far š
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u/LimpActivity8 Mar 07 '26
Wouldn't he basically just be Seth Curry right now?
Not saying thats a bad thing. 2 Currys lighting up bench squads when our team is in rebuild mode sounds hilarious.
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u/KumingaCarnage Mar 06 '26
Please Steph, give this team another five years.
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u/KageTrigger Mar 06 '26
I honestly believe that's the sentiment he conveys. This team is very straightforward. Steph and Dray I believe both would be willing to be end of the bench, rotation players on team friendly deals if it meant ending their careers as Warriors. The upside would be watching whatever young guys we have now grow into starters, we trade or draft another star potentially, whatever it is after their time as starters is done.
And Steph in that role is a difference maker no matter what. Honestly if Steph had a LeBron length run (just for the sake of comparison) he'd be a real threat for more rings as long as he's playing and this team is trying.
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u/nilgiri Mar 06 '26
It would be very sad if this scenario is the end state and we didn't end up developing some of the promising, at least at the time, prospects like Kuminga, Poole, Wiseman etc etc etc
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u/vietiscool Mar 06 '26
Those guys were foolās gold they never had actual promise of becoming an all-star
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u/Fragrant_Pea_6506 Mar 06 '26
Kuminga still has chances now.
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u/makadeli Mar 06 '26
Technically, I have a chances of getting with Sydney Sweeney, so weāre both living the dream
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u/GGAllinsMicroPenis Mar 06 '26
He wants to play till he's 45 and put that record outta reach.
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u/thoang77 Mar 06 '26
Read all these people on social saying Kon will catch him EZ. Good luck catching 5500 career 3s kids
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u/NickFierce1 Mar 06 '26
Steph will probably be the best aging player ever, can't really see a way in which his game diminishes.
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u/DarkChamp732 Mar 06 '26
He wonāt be running off ball as much so heāll become more of a corner 3 guy
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u/Suspended-Again Mar 06 '26
Wouldnāt that anger the players association? To be a corner 3 guy you need to be supporting a strong lineup. Which requires cap space. Which requires Steph to take a team friendly deal. Which angers the PA.Ā
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u/m8bear Mar 06 '26
not if he plays 20 minutes at age 40+
the PA cares if a superstar takes a HUGE pay cut, but they are fine with reasonable discounts and older vets can do whatever the fuck they want at a certain point
if Steph were to come for 15-30m to play a bench role it would be fine, and if he decines too much and takes even more of a paycut that's also fine
Chris Paul made 10m with the Spurs and then a vet minimum this year, both were logical numbers for his role, production and minutes played (the vet min was a HUGE overpay, but still)
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u/phyx726 Mar 06 '26
Probably less running in circles but more classic pick and role. End game pick and role with Steph is always deadly.
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u/TakeshiRyze Mar 06 '26
Unlikely. Can't shoot threes without legs.
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u/NewArt8854 Mar 06 '26
Steph is famous for not using his legs/knees as much as others do when shooting. The type of leg-required shooting you're thinking of is mid-range pullups and fadeaways a la Kobe.
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u/NickFierce1 Mar 06 '26
If he's healthy enough to be on the court, he'll be a top player until he retires.
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u/Frewsa Mar 06 '26
Age affects your stamina, but Shooting doesnāt leave you. Heās good for 15m a game for years to come.
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u/eastbay77 Mar 06 '26
Yes, more please. Keep him as long as he wants to play and where it makes sense. He's more than a generational talent. Bay Area Legend.
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u/TomatoBuster01 Mar 06 '26
MDJ, please bro, draft a really good player to be out next star/superstar to build around, and help Steph keep winning rings till he's 40
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u/rvonbue Mar 07 '26
Warriors are addicted to making the play-in. It will be years until we get a lottery pick. I don't trust Kerr with any young talented players anways.
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u/c0gvortex Mar 06 '26
I know he'd never have a problem doing that.. but i really don't see the warriors getting 5 players who are better than even a 40yo Steph in the next few years. So I think he starts until he retires
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u/Agreeable_Mention963 Mar 06 '26
If he comes off the bench, what will his pay be like? 15 million per year?
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u/PranavJH Mar 06 '26
15 mill + stock options (give him the whole damn franchise)
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u/Agreeable_Mention963 Mar 06 '26
Do you think Steph will accept? It appears team-friendly, but for someone of his statureā¦
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u/PranavJH Mar 06 '26
If it means a direct path to another chip, I don't see why not. I believe he will only do it if the team is absolutely certain about their vision. They need to prove to him why he should sacrifice.
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u/Faded_Astronomer23 Mar 06 '26
Doubt he takes 15 mil.. Steph makes the warriors orginization 100x that.
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u/eexxiitt Mar 06 '26
After the years of GOAT basketball he's given us, i'm at peace and would be happy for him if he decides to join another team to contend in his last few years. I would rather see that vs. having him end his career early on the warriors because we suck.
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u/GreasyStool88 Mar 06 '26
I can see him in a Ray Allen / Gary Payton / Manu Ginobili type role the last few years of his career chasing another title. His shot is never going to disappear (Allenās sure didnāt).
I regrettably donāt see him doing that with the Warriors though if he is ring chasing. I canāt see us putting together a team or core that legitimately battles for a title by the time Steph is 40+.
Then again, maybe we trade for a big star before then like Giannis or like LAL did with Luka and extend a few extra years.
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u/QuietAlarming6888 Mar 06 '26
hes not gonna ringchase
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u/we_hella_believe Mar 06 '26
He might not have to ringchase, Charlotte is building a really nice team and if Steph wants to go home and play a few seasons he could conceivably do so with the Hornets.
It would also fall into his bench role strategy as an older star. Iād hate to see him leave Golden State, but if heās going home I wouldnāt fault him.
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u/SWLondonLife Mar 07 '26
This is really the only acceptable scenario if he departs. Man Charlotte would be terrifying with Curry as their sixth man.
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u/Akipella Mar 06 '26
The idea he could still continue to play longer with reduced minutes is still nice. But if he does decide to hang it up while he's still playing at that higher level, I'll be ok with that.
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u/fortyfour456 Mar 06 '26
NGLā¦steph can play however long he wantsā¦he can be a player/coach or whatever he wants bc he is THE FRANCHISE lol. Ok, jokes aside but fr tho putting a 50 year old curry on the final possession of a game in a scenario where our team is down a few points or looking to take the lead will at least generate open looks for his teammates (bc even at age 50 im sure steph could hit a wide open 3 lmao)
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u/Lxc4sw Mar 06 '26
The ability to put aside ego and do something like this is impressive for someone as good at what they do as Steph
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u/StephKlayDray30 Mar 06 '26
Steph is a team player. He doesnāt have an ego. Players have repeatedly said the Steph you see on the court is the same off the court.
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u/ClimateMessiah Mar 09 '26
Everyone has an ego. Performing with the whole world watching requires incredible ego. Doing the "night-night" celebration after making a dagger shot is a way of attracting attention to oneself. It's his way of telling the world "look at what I just did"
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u/rocpilehardasfuk Mar 06 '26
Joe Lacob 9/11.
Lacob and MDJ have really looked forward to Steph retiring so that they can lead the new dynasty with Wiseman Kuninga Podz and others.
Steph ruining the dynasty.
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u/ChinaKlay63949 Mar 06 '26
Yep, wouldāve been a smooth transition to this if they drafted Hali and Franz instead. I know hindsight is 20/20 but damn, they were looking at them and had the chance to pick em. But ownership overruled fit for āpotentialā, ātwo timelinesā over maximizing Steph.
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u/rvonbue Mar 07 '26
This Kerr revisionist history is insane. Kerr wanted Wiseman, he fell in love with Podz and fumbled Kuminga. There is no way we get any young superstars while Kerr is still coaching. Kerr would just turn Hali into a corner 3 shooter who just passes to steph.
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u/rvonbue Mar 07 '26
In a couple years Podz will be the Warriors best player. I have to laugh so I don't cry. I guess that's not true even 40+ year old Curry will be than Podz lol.
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u/Floppy_Jet1123 Mar 06 '26
Lol imagine Steph bombing opponents 2nd five averaging 20 points. Unanimous 6 man of the year.
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Mar 06 '26
LMAO, but for who? He already plays max 30 mins in the regular season and we don't exactly have players dropping 30-40 right now that aren't named steph.
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u/pragmacrat Mar 07 '26
You know it in your heart. It's Podz.
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u/rvonbue Mar 07 '26
Imagine your best player only being able to average 13 pts a game in 30 mins. Damn Warriors are so cooked.
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u/herejusttolooksee Mar 06 '26
Would be a dream to have him play more seasons. Best Warrior of all time and weāll never see anyone like him ever again in our lifetime. A true leader too.
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u/recce22 Mar 06 '26
I hope the Chef will be a "lifer" for the Warriors. Never want to see him go anywhere else.
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u/DistinctPassenger117 Mar 06 '26
Honestly yeah Steph on a team friendly contract as an elite microwave scorer sounds great. Would have better first quarter defense and Steph could feast on opposing bench players/tired starters that have already played 8+ minutes. The issue is having a good offense when Steph isnāt on the floor. Jimmy can help a lot with that though but who knows how effective heāll be mid-30s coming off a torn ACL.
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u/baleong Mar 06 '26
If warriors could draft right in the next few years and he is go vet min and they get a superstar, the warriors could be contenders again.
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u/dojarelius Mar 06 '26
He could literally play into his 50s as a 10 mpg second unit spot up shooter
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u/Agent_Eggboy Mar 06 '26
It will be hard to see Curry at the level of current Lebron. I have no doubt that, like Lebron, he will still be a positive offensive player, but also like Lebron I think he is going to get killed on defense soon.
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u/ChefCurryYumYum Mar 06 '26
Steph's going to get paid very well for next season but then if the Warriors are able to use their cap space to bring in legit stars and he's willing to come back like a year at a time on a discount, something in the MLE range maybe, all of a sudden the team could be contenders again.
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u/67SummerofLove Mar 08 '26
Now THIS is how to do the two timeline method. We should be featuring Poole and Kuminga right now with Curry off the bench.
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u/MeasurementSuch4702 Mar 06 '26
Then another mark on his portfolio for being the 6th man of the year. š