Stephen Curry’s decision to leave money on the table in his new Golden State Warriors extension could give the franchise additional flexibility, but Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler may have to make a similar sacrifice if they want to finish their careers in the Bay Area.
Curry, 38, agreed to a two-year, $116 million extension with the Warriors on Friday, according to The Athletic’s Nick Friedell. The deal includes a player option for the 2028-29 season and keeps Curry with the only NBA franchise he has played for.
Friedell reported that Curry left money on the table in the agreement, giving Golden State additional room to build around him during the final years of his career. The Warriors are also positioned to have significant cap space next summer, when Green and Butler’s contracts are set to come off the books.
Both veterans have expressed interest in retiring with Golden State, according to Friedell. However, returning to the Warriors beyond their current contracts could require Green and Butler to accept substantially smaller deals.
That would represent a different situation from Curry, who did not need to accept less than the maximum to remain with Golden State. Instead, his willingness to leave some money on the table provides the Warriors with additional flexibility while allowing the franchise to secure its most important player through the 2028-29 season.
Green is entering his 15th NBA season and remains a central part of Golden State’s core. He averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 68 games during the 2025-26 season while continuing to anchor the Warriors defensively.
Butler, meanwhile, averaged 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 38 games last season. He shot 51.9 percent from the field and 86.4 percent from the free-throw line while playing alongside Curry.
The Warriors went 36-46 in 2025-26 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Their offseason remained focused on maintaining the veteran core, with Green re-signing on a one-year, $27.68 million contract and the team also retaining veterans including Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton.
Golden State also extended Kristaps Porzingis for two years and drafted Yaxel Lendeborg with the No. 11 pick, but the roster remains heavily dependent on its veteran stars.
Curry’s extension now removes uncertainty surrounding the franchise’s most important player. The Warriors will have the 2027 trade deadline and next summer as potential opportunities to reshape the roster around him.
