The NBA offseason is basically done, and with September here, it’s time to zero in on what’s cooking for the season ahead and beyond. Specifically, we’ve got to talk about two of the biggest names eligible for extensions: Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokić. These guys are legends, two of the 14 players in NBA history to win consecutive Most Valuable Player trophies for their only franchises. They’ve both said all the right things about staying put, but if you’re a real fan, you know to keep your eyes peeled until the ink is dry.
Curry’s ‘Realist’ Talk Has Golden State Fans Edgy
Look, Curry’s a two-time MVP, revered in Golden State, and he’s constantly saying he wants to be a Warrior for life. He just told Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area, “There’s no question I want to be here the rest of my career. And I’m pretty sure that’s going to happen.” Sounds great, right? But the situation around him? Not so much. Golden State struck out on LeBron James, and now they’re staring down a roster loaded with aging vets, seriously light on young talent, and looking like a perennial play-in team in the Western Conference. That’s a grim forecast for a guy walking the back nine of a legendary career still chasing that fifth championship. Some are absolutely wondering if he might consider “greener pastures.” The Golden State front office says they’re confident he’ll stay and are willing to let him pick whatever deal structure he wants. But Curry calls himself a “realist” about the franchise’s predicament, and you gotta wonder if that realism might just lead him somewhere else if things don’t turn around.
Jokić’s ‘Business Oriented’ Play Keeps Denver Guessing
Then there’s the three-time MVP, Nikola Jokić. He’s a god in Denver, and he declared last September his “plan is to be a Nugget forever.” He even doubled down on that after a wild season where they still hit 50 wins for the fourth straight year, but then got bounced in the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2022. But here’s the twist: he’s not signing an extension right now. He told reporters after a FIBA World Cup qualifying game in July, “My idea and my wish is to stay in Denver, I will most probably sign next summer. The decision is strictly business oriented.” “Business oriented”? What does that even mean? It means he’s got two more seasons on his current deal, with $59 million this season and a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28. He’s clearly playing the long game for the biggest possible bag, and while his heart might be in Denver, “business” could complicate things faster than fans want to admit.
So, while both Curry and Jokić are saying all the right things and pledging loyalty, the reality of the NBA business means you can’t just take their word for it until the contracts are signed. For Curry, watch for what kind of deal structure he actually wants to lock in. For Jokić, circle “next summer” on your calendar, because that’s when his “strictly business oriented” decision really comes into play. It’s going to be wild to see how these two sagas unfold.
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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