How Steph Curry gave Warriors edge without any contract drama

If you know Steph Curry, you know his priority is finding joy. He doesn’t like drama.He’s not interested in distractions.

He’s single-mindedly focused on feeling the thrill of his jaw-dropping shots swish through the net over outstretched hands. That’s why it makes sense that he ended the chatter around him before Warriors’ media day on Monday, agreeing to sign a two-year, $116 million contract extension. Curry, who’s on an expiring $62.6 million contract, was eligible for an extension up to two years and $136.7 million on Aug.29. When that date came and passed without pen-to-paper there were never any real concerns that he was considering leaving the Warriors, with whom he has spent his entire 17-season career.But if he held out, that storyline would’ve become a distraction.

It would’ve become a focus this season.Everyone would’ve been constantly trying to take his temperature and gauge his thinking instead of simply enjoying his artistry.  Curry had all the cards.That’s what happens when you’re the greatest shooter of all time who transformed the Warriors into the league’s modern-day dynasty, winning four championships in eight years from 2015-2022. He could’ve waited to see how things shook out this season.

He could’ve signed a maximum contract.He could’ve taken a pay cut to give the Warriors a chance to further fortify their roster around him. He chose the latter after ruminating for a month. Curry’s decision will give the Warriors around $10 million in extra projected cap space next summer.

That means Golden State could have between $38 million and a projected $55 million in cap space after this season, depending on what happens with Brandin Podziemski, according to ESPN.In other words, next summer they’ll have flexibility to pursue big names. That’s an exciting prospect for Curry, who turns 39 in March, as well as a franchise that hasn’t gotten past the second round of the playoffs over the last four year...