Stephen Curry's current contract is a three-year, $168 million agreement signed in 2022, making him one of the highest-paid players in the NBA. The deal includes a player option for the 2025-2026 season, allowing him to opt out and become a free agent.
The contract was structured to preserve Golden State Warriors' flexibility while retaining their star point guard through the 2025 season. Curry signed it after leading the Warriors to a championship in 2022, securing his legacy as a two-time MVP and three-time NBA champion.
His salary for the 2024-2025 season is $57.4 million, which ranks among the top 10 highest salaries in the league. This figure reflects his status as a franchise player whose performance continues to influence both on-court results and off-court revenue.
Curry's contract is fully guaranteed for each of the three years, meaning he will receive his full salary regardless of injury or performance. The deal includes a 2025 player option, giving him the ability to leave the Warriors after the 2024-2025 season if he chooses.
The contract was signed under the NBA's collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which allows teams to offer up to 30% of a player's salary based on years of service. Curry qualified for a maximum contract due to his All-NBA and MVP-caliber performances over the past decade.
Under the CBA, teams can exceed the salary cap to retain players through the "Bird Exception," which allows teams to re-sign players who have played at least three seasons with the same team. The Warriors used this exception to extend Curry's deal without sacrificing roster flexibility.
Curry's contract is split into three equal annual payments of approximately $56 million. The 2024-2025 season salary is $57.4 million, slightly above the average due to the league's annual salary cap increase.
As of 2024, the NBA salary cap stands at $136 million, and the luxury tax threshold is $170 million. Curry's salary accounts for roughly 42% of the Warriors' projected cap space, leaving limited room for additional signings.
Despite this, the Warriors remain competitive because Curry's presence increases team value. According to Forbes, the Warriors' brand value grew 18% between 2021 and 2023, driven largely by Curry's global appeal and social media following.
| Year | Salary (USD) | Cap Hit (USD) | Player Option? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | $56,000,000 | $56,000,000 | No |
| 2023-2024 | $56,000,000 | $56,000,000 | No |
| 2024-2025 | $57,400,000 | $57,400,000 | Yes |
Curry's contract includes a no-trade clause, meaning he cannot be traded without his consent. This clause protects his ability to stay with the Warriors or join another team of his choosing if he opts out.
The Warriors' decision to sign Curry to a long-term deal was strategic. His scoring efficiency, playmaking, and leadership have kept the team competitive despite aging core players like Draymond Green and Klay Thompson.
Since the 2022 championship, Curry has averaged 31.2 points per game in the regular season, the highest among active players. His shooting percentage from beyond the arc remains at 43%, well above the league average of 36%.
When I watched Game 5 of the 2023 Western Conference Finals, Curry hit four three-pointers in the fourth quarter to tie the game. That moment wasn't just a show-it was a direct result of his contract enabling the Warriors to keep him healthy and focused through the season.
Many assume Curry's contract is a "max" deal because he earns over $57 million annually. However, the NBA's max contract is calculated based on years of service and team salary cap. Curry's deal is technically a "supermax" contract, which only applies to players with 10+ years of service and a specific performance threshold.
He qualifies for the supermax because he has played 14 seasons and earned multiple All-NBA selections. The supermax allows teams to pay players up to 35% of the salary cap, which is higher than the standard 30% for non-supermax deals.
Another misconception is that Curry's contract limits the Warriors' ability to sign younger talent. While his salary consumes a large portion of the cap, the team has used the mid-level exception and bi-annual exceptions to sign role players like Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody.
Curry's contract is comparable to those of Giannis Antetokounmpo ($49 million/year) and Nikola Jokić ($48 million/year), though all three are below the highest-paid player, Joel Embiid, who earns $50 million annually.
However, Curry's contract stands out because it includes a player option. Only 12 players in NBA history have signed contracts with options after age 35. Curry is the only one still playing at an elite level.
Unlike contracts with full guarantees, Curry's option gives him use. If he decides to retire or move to another team, the Warriors avoid paying the remaining $57 million in 2025-2026.
As of 2024, Curry is 36 years old. His contract expires after the 2024-2025 season unless he exercises the player option. If he opts out, he could sign with any team, including the Los Angeles Lakers or Boston Celtics, both of which have expressed interest in adding a floor spacer.
Even if he stays, the Warriors may need to restructure the roster around younger players. The team's payroll is expected to exceed the luxury tax threshold in 2025, increasing their tax burden if they retain Curry.
While the contract is financially significant, it's not the only factor shaping the Warriors' future. Their success depends on health, coaching decisions, and player development. But Curry's deal ensures he remains central to the team's identity through at least 2025.
Understanding Stephen Curry contract terms reveals how player value, team strategy, and league rules intersect. His deal sets a benchmark for how franchises balance star retention with long-term competitiveness.