Stephen Curry is coming off an iconic debut in the 2024 Paris Olympics, averaging a team-high 14.8 points per game in the tournament and earning his first gold medal. Looking ahead to the 2024-25 season, Curry will be analyzing his situation with the Golden State Warriors with a chance to win his fifth NBA championship to solidify his legacy. Curry made some interesting remarks a handful of weeks ago discussing how he does not want to be a “bottom dweller” with Golden State, especially since his “Splash Brother” Klay Thompson left the Warriors to sign a $50 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks.
Curry also interestingly removed “Warriors Guard” from his bio on Instagram and that has set social media alite. The superstar averaged 26.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game last season so he is still an elite point guard, but he must consider his future in Golden State because it is obvious the roster isn’t good enough to win a championship right now. Even if the Warriors franchise does not want to see Curry leave under any circumstances, the superstar point guard has five major reasons to consider leaving the Golden State Warriors as soon as possible.
1. Capture A Fifth NBA Championship
Stephen Curry’s legacy as one of the greatest point guards of all time is secure, but the pursuit of a fifth NBA championship could elevate him even further into the basketball pantheon. While Magic Johnson’s resume is undeniably legendary with five titles, three MVPs, and three Finals MVPs, Curry’s impact on the game with his unparalleled shooting and offensive prowess has changed the sport in a way few others have.
Adding a fifth ring would not only put Curry on par with Magic in terms of championships but also strengthen his case as the greatest point guard ever. For Curry, this is about legacy—joining the exclusive club of multiple-time champions would solidify his place among the top 10 players of all time, a status currently debated among basketball historians.
Curry’s desire to win another title is evident, but the current Warriors roster may not be positioned to help him achieve that goal. Winning a fifth title outside of Golden State would not only add to his legacy but also demonstrate his ability to adapt and thrive in a new environment and also win three total championships without Kevin Durant who stacked the deck in Golden State’s favor in 2017 and 2018.
2. 2024 Summer Olympics Proves Curry Is Still In His Prime
Stephen Curry’s performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics served as a powerful reminder that he is still very much in his prime. Leading Team USA in scoring with 14.8 points per game, Curry was arguably the best offensive player on the court throughout the tournament. His ability to perform at such a high level on the international stage, even at 36 years old, showcases that he still has plenty left in the tank. The Olympic gold medal was the one major accolade missing from his illustrious career, and his dominant play in Paris proved that he’s far from done adding to his legacy.
Curry’s Olympic showing also highlighted his continued ability to lead and perform under pressure. Despite the international competition, which featured numerous rising stars, Curry’s experience and skill set were unmatched. His shooting, court vision, and leadership were critical to Team USA’s success, and these qualities remain just as vital in the NBA. If Curry wants to continue competing at the highest level and chase more championships, now is the time to align himself with a roster capable of winning. His Olympic performance demonstrated that he can still be the best player on the floor, but he needs the right supporting cast to maximize his chances of adding another title to his resume.
3. Approaching 37 Years Old In The 2024-25 Season
As Stephen Curry enters his age-37 season, the clock is ticking on his career. While he has remained remarkably productive and healthy, the reality is that time catches up with every player. Curry knows that he doesn’t have many years left at an elite level, which means he needs to be strategic about where he spends his remaining prime. Staying with a Warriors team that may no longer be a true contender could waste some of his final productive years. If Curry wants to continue chasing championships, he must find a situation that allows him to compete at the highest level immediately.
At this stage of his career, Curry should prioritize being in a situation where the pieces around him can complement his game and take some of the load off his shoulders. The Warriors, with their aging core and questionable supporting cast, might not provide that environment. Making a move now could ensure that he remains in the title hunt as he approaches the twilight of his career, rather than risking a slow decline with a team that’s no longer built to win.
4. Golden State Warriors Are Not An Elite Team Anymore
The Golden State Warriors, once the most feared team in the NBA, are no longer the juggernaut they used to be. With Klay Thompson departing to sign a massive deal with the Dallas Mavericks, the Warriors have lost a key piece of their championship puzzle. Draymond Green, while still effective, is clearly on the decline, and the younger players on the roster like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski, though promising, are not yet ready to carry the team to title contention. The recent additions of Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield, and De’Anthony Melton are solid, but they are not the kind of game-changers needed to make the Warriors a top-tier contender in a loaded Western Conference.
Curry, who has always been about winning, must recognize that the Warriors’ window for championships may have closed. The lack of elite talent around him and the uncertain development of the younger players make it unlikely that Golden State can compete with teams like the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Oklahoma City Thunder. If Curry’s ultimate goal is to win more titles, he may need to accept that his best chance to do so lies outside of Golden State. A move to a team with a stronger supporting cast could reinvigorate his career and put him back in the mix for another ring, something that seems increasingly difficult with the current Warriors roster.
5. Warriors Don’t Have A Bright Future
The future of the Golden State Warriors looks uncertain at best. Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski are the only two young players on the roster with significant potential, but even they have limitations. Kuminga, entering his fourth season, has yet to reach an All-Star level and has struggled with consistency. At nearly 22 years old, he is running out of time to make the leap to a franchise cornerstone.
Podziemski, who had a strong rookie campaign and made the All-Rookie Team, is also nearing 22, but it’s unclear if he can develop into a player who can carry the Warriors into their next era of success. Beyond these two, the Warriors’ roster is filled with veterans who are either past their prime or role players who do not project to be part of a championship core.
For Curry, who has built his career on winning, staying with a team that lacks a clear path to future success could be a waste of his final prime years. The Warriors’ current trajectory does not align with Curry’s goals of competing for championships, and the franchise’s lack of young, high-upside talent means that a rebuild may be inevitable. Curry could seek a situation where he is surrounded by younger stars or more established talent, giving him a better chance to compete for titles in the twilight of his career. Leaving the Warriors might be the tough but necessary decision to ensure that Curry’s career ends on a high note, rather than in the middle of a rebuild.
