Stephen Curry expressed a desire for LeBron James to join the Warriors, but his muted response when James picked the 76ers indicated that he might not be counting on a partnership.
“You can’t really imagine anything until it actually plays out,” Curry mentioned during Moses Moody’s Youth Camp. “There are a lot of factors at play.”
Curry’s public comments didn’t critique the Warriors or display much disappointment. According to Marcus Thompson II from The Athletic, this could stem from Curry reconsidering the Warriors’ ongoing quest for another superstar.
On KNBR, Thompson suggested that Curry might have already sensed that James was leaning towards another team and was growing tired of waiting for the next big acquisition.
“I think he’s probably a little weary of chasing stars,” Thompson remarked.
The Warriors have been on the lookout for a game-changer to extend Curry’s championship window. They got Jimmy Butler in 2025 and have explored deals for players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, and Anthony Davis since then.
However, these efforts haven’t produced any new superstars.
Thompson questioned if Curry might now prefer the Warriors to focus on building a deeper, younger team instead of perpetually chasing a single transformative player.
“Let’s bring in some committed young guys, and we can achieve success that way,” Thompson speculated about Curry’s potential viewpoint. “We just need to assemble the best team.”
But it’s important to note that Thompson’s interpretation is speculative; Curry has reiterated Golden State’s intent to construct the best team possible and acknowledged discussions about innovative ways to improve.
The context surrounding the Warriors has also shifted significantly.
Butler is on the mend from a torn ACL, while Moody is recovering from a torn patellar tendon. These injuries have reshaped Golden State’s plans well before James made his choice.
“The entire situation changes,” Curry remarked. “How do we cope with their absence and maintain a certain level? It’s the same question, and I’m realistic about it.”
This practicality doesn’t necessarily imply that Curry would welcome another season without a shot at the championship. At 38 and in the last year of his contract, Thompson earlier suggested that the potential timing of an extension could give Curry some leverage over management.
Yet, Curry seems to recognize that the Warriors’ future can’t solely depend on speculative trades and free agency moves.
“We don’t live in a fantasy,” he stated.
As it stands, the Warriors might need Curry to lead a weakened offense while Butler and Moody are in recovery. Kristaps Porzingis adds some new talent but has faced challenges securing consistent playing time, and Draymond Green is anticipated to return to an aging roster.
This situation puts Golden State in a tricky spot. While they hope for another stellar season from Curry, he may hesitate to sacrifice all future resources for a potential move that might not make them true contenders.
Thompson warned that this cycle of high hopes and subsequent disappointments could be harmful.
“His championship aspirations are tied to something different,” Thompson suggested. “I think he’d prefer it to be connected to him.”
Curry hasn’t openly criticized the Warriors’ strategy. His comments seem to reflect someone who has come to terms with not setting expectations on a star who hasn’t shown up yet.
If further pursuits continue to falter, Golden State may soon need to evaluate whether Curry still believes in chasing the next marquee player, or if the team is ready to explore a different approach.
