Stephen Curry Hints at Taking Discount in Warriors Contract amid 'Absolute Desperation to Win'

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is desperate for another title before he retires, and he's willing to sacrifice financially to get it.

Amid contract talks with the Warriors, Curry said he's willing to take a discount to help the front office build a competitive roster.

"We're in a very interesting situation," Curry told ESPN's Anthony Slater. "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 currently set to play the 2026-27 campaign on a one-year, $62.6 million expiring deal. According to Slater, the Warriors have given him several options, including a max deal or smaller pay cuts. The team has also given him the option to wait and decide later this year or next offseason.

Slater noted that Curry has weighed his options for almost a month, but has not yet made a decision heading into the start of preseason practice next week.

"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."

While Curry might be past his prime, he's earned the right to command a max-level deal after all the success he's brought to the organization. He's also still managed to stay productive, putting up 26.6 points per game last year, though he played just 43 contests.

But at this point in his career, it's fair to assume Curry values winning over money.

Golden State missed out on landing players like LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown this offseason, but the team is set up to potentially make some key signings next summer.

The Warriors are projected to have more than $100 million in cap space next offseason, per Spotrac. If Curry opts for a cheaper deal, they could use that money to build a championship roster around him.

As it stands now, the 2027 free agent class is expected to be a loaded one with names like Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kyrie Irving and potentially more.