Pierce is not optimistic about Golden State competing for titles as constructed, even with Curry still being a threat with his elite shooting.
Speculation about star players desiring a change of scenery is inevitable when their teams face challenges. This would especially be the case for Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
Klay Thompson has departed, joining the Dallas Mavericks through a sign-and-trade deal. The critical issue now confronting the Warriors is whether they retain a roster capable of championship contention.
On a recent episode of Kevin Garnett’s podcast ‘KG Certified,’ NBA legend Paul Pierce expressed his belief that the Warriors’ days of contending might have come to an end.
“If you don’t got the personnel, you got to be realistic. They don’t have a championship team right now,” Pierce said. “The only way I see Golden State getting back to where they need to get back to is if they could find a way to get Giannis [Antetokounmpo] over there.”
Pierce’s suggestion that the Warriors should acquire Antetokounmpo sparked speculation from Garnett about Pierce having disclosed inside information. However, Pierce clarified to his audience that he had no knowledge of Antetokounmpo’s potential move to the Warriors, stating that he was merely speaking his mind.
His observation is valid, however. With the current team construction, the Warriors don’t seem poised for a championship run. Even with Thompson last season, they didn’t make the playoffs, bowing out in the play-in game against the Sacramento Kings.
If the Warriors’ struggles persist, there will undoubtedly be a plethora of think pieces on Curry. However, there has been no sign whatsoever that Curry wishes to conclude his career with another team.
Pierce even posited that Curry is not the kind of player to push for an exit in pursuit of a championship ring during the twilight of his career.
United States shooting guard Stephen Curry (4) and guard LeBron James (6) and guard Kevin Durant (7) celebrate with their gold medals on the podium after defeating France in the men’s basketball gold medal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena.
Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
“He’s going down with that ship. It’s all legacy, everything right now for him is icing on the cake,” Pierce said. “I saw Kobe, he lost his last couple years but he still went hard, didn’t he? He wasn’t complaining. That’s Steph, he carried that in Golden State.”
Curry has two more years remaining on the contract extension he signed in 2021, coinciding with the recent extension of head coach Steve Kerr. He stirred up NBA fans when he updated his social media bio, omitting any references to the Warriors. However, changes in social media profiles rarely indicate a player’s future team intentions.
He continues to perform at an elite level, as evidenced by his contribution to Team USA’s gold medal victory at the Olympics this summer. His connection with LeBron James and Kevin Durant has sparked fan theories about a potential collaboration between them in the latter stages of their careers. Such speculations are likely to persist for the foreseeable future.