Stephen Curry Could Fetch the NBA's Largest Contract Ever Next Summer

Two-time reigning MVP Stephen Curry is poised to break yet another record, however he’ll be doing it off the hardwood during the forthcoming offseason. Thanks to the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement, the league’s most underpaid superstar could ink the very first contract that will surpass the $200 million USD threshold. ESPN stated in today’s story:

“Currently playing out the last year on a four-year, $44 million extension that he signed in October 2013 at a time that his long-term durability was still being questioned, Curry will be eligible in July for a new deal that sources say would be worth an estimated $207 million over five years, making it the richest contract in league history and paying out an estimated $47 million in the final season (2021-22).

This new rule enables a narrow selection of superstars who are willing to re-sign with their current team to receive up to 35 percent of the salary cap if certain benchmarks are met. As a two-time MVP who has played for the Warriors his entire career, Curry would meet all the qualifications for the maximum allowable salary. A player with Curry’s experience level, under the previous CBA, would have been able to sign for only 30 percent of the cap.”

It’s been widely assumed that Curry will stay with the Warriors once he hits free agency, and now that the money is right, it’s looking like he’ll be in a Dubbs jersey for four-to-five more years, at the least. If he did decide to leave, interested suitors could only offer an estimated maximum contract of $135 million USD over four years, while the Bay Area can offer $207 million USD over five years.

The troubling part however is that Durant will likely hit free agency as well next summer, and because he’ll be a 10-year veteran he’ll be able to earn a max deal. Unfortunately, the Warriors won’t have the same rights to Durant as they do Curry because he only played one season with the team. So it might be a tough squeeze for GSW to keep both, which means role players like Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston will have to take a significant pay cut. Additionally, because teams are limited to two players who receive the designated veteran classification, Golden State might be forced to choose between Thompson and Green for the other slot left after Curry and Durant get their new deals.