Bobby Marks, ESPN’s NBA front office insider, cannot stop thinking about the absolute collapse of the New Jersey Nets from two decades ago. Why? Because the Golden State Warriors, with 38-year-old Stephen Curry set to become eligible for his fifth, and likely final, contract extension this Saturday, might be heading down a similar, brutal path if things go sideways. This isn’t just about another rich guy signing another big deal; this is about the entire future of a franchise hanging by a thread.
That 12-70 Nightmare Is the Real Threat
Marks lived through that Nets’ nightmare as their assistant GM, and he’s warning everyone. The Nets made two straight NBA Finals back in 2002 and ’03, right? Sounds great. But then they blew six straight first-round picks. They tied up money in aging stars like Jason Kidd and Vince Carter when those guys hit 30. And what happened next? A loud thud. They crashed and burned, suffering one of the worst seasons in NBA history: a mind-numbing 12-70 record in 2009-10. Marks said it himself, “When it doesn’t work, when you don’t draft great, or maybe players just don’t work out for whatever reason , there is a loud thud, from a roster-building standpoint.”
Now look at the Warriors. This isn’t just doom-and-gloom speculation. Golden State has practically zero young talent ready to step up. All but one of their six first-round picks from 2018-22 (shoutout Moses Moody, the lone survivor!) are either on other rosters or completely out of the league. That’s a huge problem. Without a pipeline of fresh blood, and with their franchise icon getting older, this contract is everything. Marks is convinced, saying, “The Curry part dictates what the Warriors’ flexibility is.”
Steph Holds the Pen, and the Future
So, what are we talking about here? Curry is playing this 2026-27 season on a massive $62.5 million deal. Come August 29, he’s eligible for a maximum two-year, $136.7 million extension. We’re talking serious cash, probably his last big payday. He can sign it any time between Saturday and June 2027. Both Steph and the Warriors are playing it cool, with Golden State GM Mike Dunleavy saying earlier this month that Curry wants to “finish his career as a Warrior.” Good vibes, right?
But Marks, the CBA expert, says Steph “basically writes the terms” of his next deal. Why wouldn’t he? He’s a four-time NBA champion, a 12-time All-Star, and the guy who single-handedly drives the value of every single Warriors home ticket. The catch is the “Over-38” rule in the CBA, meaning he can’t sign anything that takes him beyond the 2028-29 season. Could he try for a crazy three-year, $207 million deal if he waited? Technically, yes, but that’d take him to age 42, which seems wild, even if LeBron is still out there doing it.
The stakes are sky-high, Golden State fans. This Saturday kicks off what could be the most important contract negotiation in franchise history. Will Steph lock in for two more years? What terms will he demand? Whatever happens, it’s going to determine if the Warriors keep fighting for championships or if they take that frightening, Nets-like plunge into the abyss. Keep your eyes peeled, because this is going to be wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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