There has been considerable chatter about whether Stephen Curry might be on his way to the Boston Celtics. Whether it's this offseason, closer to the trade deadline, or next summer, it's an exciting prospect.
However, the reality is that Curry has as good a chance as anyone to spend his entire career with the franchise that drafted him. And if he does don another uniform, yes, the idea of joining forces with Jayson Tatum is exciting. Yet the heavy favorite for his next stop would be his hometown Charlotte Hornets.
But when you look at how the Warriors are positioning themselves, even a return to the Queen City may never amount to more than a fantasy.
Golden State only has four players under fully guaranteed contracts for the 2027-28 campaign. That quartet will combine to make less than $30 million. It's an organization that preserved its future cap space and can spend aggressively next offseason.
Free agency isn't what it once was, but it means they could use Jimmy Butler's expiring $56.8 million contract to make the math work in a substantial trade and utilize the former to fortify the supporting cast. It's a path to make a last title run built around Curry and Draymond Green, assuming they re-sign both.
Steph Curry joining the Celtics is likely just a pipe dream
When trying to gauge how the greatest shooter of all time wants to end his career, the safest bet is that he never leaves the only professional home he has known. In fact, it's plausible that spending his final years mentoring the Warriors' next generation appeals to him.
One would think that a fierce competitor like this would desire one final championship chase, though. If the two-time MVP makes that wish known, Golden State has the tools to make it happen.
It's an organization that controls its first-round picks for the foreseeable future and can invest its cap space in Curry's cause. All while Butler's contract helps bring in a new co-star.
If the two sides aren't aligned on what direction to go, the Warriors might just let the 12-time All-Star leave in free agency. To some, that will sound ludicrous. However, if anyone has earned that right, it's the driving force who elevated this franchise into a different stratosphere. That applies on the court and from a valuation standpoint.
Even if they trade him, it would be stunning if Curry didn't end up at his preferred destination. That could be Boston, but a potential homecoming looms as a significant threat. There are also scenarios like the Denver Nuggets making an offer compelling enough to pair him with Nikola Jokic.
There's a chance Curry ends his career with the Celtics. They have the draft capital, young talent, and tradable salary to satisfy Golden State and bring the four-time champion aboard a title contender. Yet it's much more likely that he stays put. And if he doesn't, Boston still has to beat out cases like the chance to spend his final years in Charlotte. It's fun to dream, but that's likely all that this is.
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