Stephen Curry just locked in a two-year, $116 million extension with the Golden State Warriors, and yeah, that’s a massive deal. But that massive deal for the 12-time All-Star means the franchise’s general manager, Mike Dunleavy Jr., now has a crystal-clear picture of the payroll. That clarity shines a huge spotlight on the expiring contracts of Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. This isn’t just about Curry’s cash; it’s about what his money means for everyone else’s future in the Bay.
Curry’s Deal Sets the New Standard
Curry’s extension keeps him rocking in Golden State, giving him an opt-out after the 2027-28 NBA season. What’s wild is he actually left some serious dough on the table, reportedly around $20 million from what a two-year max could have been. That’s not a small sum, but he’s still pulling down $62.6 million for the upcoming season, then averaging $58 million over the next two. Think about that: he’s taking a slightly smaller cut, but it’s enough to give the front office a hard number to work with. It’s a team-first move from Steph, but it sets the bar incredibly high for what the Warriors are willing to pay.
Butler and Green Face the Music
Now, for Butler and Green, things get real. Both have expiring deals, and The Athletic’s Nick Friedell reported they’ve “expressed interest in retiring with the Warriors.” That’s sweet, right? The catch is, doing that would “require them to return on substantially smaller contracts.” Butler is currently signed for $56.8 million, with a $65.5 million cap hold for 2027-28. It’s genuinely tough to see a world where the Warriors pay him *more* than Curry, especially when you consider Butler is 37 and coming off a torn ACL. That market value is going to drop like a rock. Green is in a similar boat, on the “wrong end of the aging curve” with his skills “gradually decline[ing].” He’s still an effective two-way player, but he doesn’t have the same impact he did back in the dynasty’s peak. The good news for Green is his potential pay cut might be a bit less dramatic; he’ll collect about half ($27.7 million) of what Butler makes currently.
Championships Over Loyalty?
Dunleavy Jr. has made the team’s priorities pretty clear, especially after Klay Thompson’s departure in 2024. They are absolutely desperate to win another championship with Curry. And if that means saying goodbye to key stars who helped them win so much, then that’s the tough choice they’re ready to make. When it’s time to seriously negotiate extensions with Butler and Green, the front office has a firm limit on spending. If those two veterans want to max out their earning power, we could see them in a different uniform by 2027. It’s a brutal business, and the Warriors are showing they’re ready to make brutal decisions to stay at the top. This next year is going to be wild watching how this all shakes out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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