Stephen Curry’s $44 million ‘mistake’ reason for Warriors dynasty, claims Gilbert Arenas
NBA veteran Gilbert Arenas pointed out that Stephen Curry's $44 million 'mistake' allowed the Golden State Warriors to become a dynasty.
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Stephen Curry signs a contract at an event
Stephen Curry enters the 2024-25 NBA season as the highest-paid player in the league, with a contract of over $55.8 million this year. Having solidified his status as NBA royalty, with a resume boasting 2x MVPs and 4x Championships, no one questions the value of Curry’s present contract.
However, NBA veteran Gilbert Arenas brought up a crucial mistake that Curry made over a decade ago, which allowed the Golden State Warriors to become the definitive dynasty of the modern NBA. He pointed to the $44 million, four-year contract extension that Curry signed with the Warriors in 2013.
This allowed the team to flesh out their roster with great depth including the additions of the eventual championship core of Andre Iguodala and Kevin Durant while retaining Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Arenas dove into the specifics of how the ‘bad’ contract that Stephen Curry signed allowed the Warriors to become 4x Champions.
Steph Curry signed a bad deal, which created a dynasty. If Steph Curry was Steph Curry earlier, he would’ve signed a rookie max, which would’ve handicapped them in the back end. But because he signed a bad deal at the beginning it created a backend dynasty.
Gilbert Arenas said on his podcast
“Dynasties are made off bad contracts…Steph Curry signed a bad deal that made them a dynasty.”
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) October 16, 2024
Gil goes OFF over NBA contract money & how it creates opportunities for franchises. pic.twitter.com/gEDhubMIWQ
During his contract negotiations with the Warriors in 2013, Curry was coming off several injury-riddled seasons. This made the superstar guard sign a mid-level extension with the Dubs instead of a maximum contract.
The immediate success of the Warriors following the contract made Curry one of the most underpaid players in the league. The four-year contract saw the 2x league MVP being paid just under $11 million. This was an unprecedented pay cut for a superstar of his caliber.
In hindsight, the contract turned out to be one of the greatest value deals for the Warriors, as it allowed them to retain their championship core for nearly a decade. Golden State would eventually go on to give Curry the maximum extension following their second championship in 2017, making Curry one of the highest-paid players in the league, and rightfully so.
Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors dominate preseason
With an aging Steph Curry and no Klay Thompson, the Golden State Warriors enter the upcoming season with many questions to be answered. However, the Dubs have started with a perfect 5-0 record in the preseason.
While most of the team’s questions will only be answered once the regular season begins, the team is off to a flying start. With a younger, athletic roster, the Dubs have supplemented the loss of Chris Paul and Klay Thompson with great roster additions.
They remain the only undefeated team so far ahead of their last preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. Only time will tell if the Warriors Dynasty has one last stand to put up this season.
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Anubhav Bajpeyee
(211 Articles Published)