Warriors focus on winning with Stephen Curry

LAS VEGAS — Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry has made it clear he wants to remain a member of the only NBA team he’s played for for the rest of his career.

And the Warriors are on the same page.

Curry, 36, whose contract is set to expire after the 2025-26 season, is eligible for a one-year extension this summer. While it’s not the most pressing issue on Golden State’s to-do list as it navigates the remainder of free agency, it’s something Warriors management has on its radar.

“This guy can get whatever he wants,” Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy said at a news conference Friday. “It’s been a sprint to get through the draft, free agency and summer league, but it’s all going to work itself out. Steph, I think I can say with pretty much confidence that he’s going to be a Warrior for life.”

Enjoying the rest of Curry’s glory days is the Warriors’ top priority, especially as they turn the page on the Klay Thompson era in the Bay Area.

Regardless of Thompson’s decision to stay or go, the organization knew it had to make changes after being eliminated in the second round in 2023 and failing to qualify for the playoffs last season.

“I think it would have been tough to rotate the same team,” Dunleavy said. “Even though 46 wins is pretty good, we didn’t make the playoffs. But it’s not something that completely broke us. We just have to work on some things. I think we did that, and we’re excited about this group.”

To help revamp their roster, the Warriors brought in Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield and De’Anthony Melton — three players who Dunleavy said fit the shooting and defense style Golden State is looking for.

Dunleavy said the Warriors were still open to the idea of ​​bringing in another player, but didn’t think it would happen in the near future.

“The free agent market has calmed down. We have 14 players and we’re up against the first apron, so adding new players in that regard right now would be tough,” Dunleavy said. “But you’re always looking around the league to improve, you’re talking to teams and you’re exploring things.

“I like our team, but there are also things we can look to improve.”

Even though they bring in a new face, the Warriors are putting more emphasis on their young players: Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody – who are also eligible for contract extensions – as well as Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis.

Kuminga was in and out of the starting lineup last season, as was Podziemski, and both will be considered for starting roles next season.

“Growing young people to take the next step is doable,” Dunleavy said.

But everything the Warriors do between now and then will center around Curry and Draymond Green and how they can get the best pieces around them for the next two years, and hopefully longer.

“With Steph and Draymond still playing at a very high level … we have to be conscious of the decisions we make to stay at this level of the championship,” Dunleavy said. “We’ve gone above and beyond to get there. We’re serious about winning.”