What we’re about to delve into is a complex topic, and this piece isn’t suggesting that Curry would be unreasonable to consider requesting a trade. He is the greatest player in the franchise’s history, has achieved numerous milestones in his current role, and has strong ties with the city, fans, and key figures like Steve Kerr and Draymond Green, who are still with the team. Speaking as a fan rather than a team observer, I hope Curry retires with the Warriors and never plays for another team.
You could easily write an article outlining “3 reasons Steph Curry should not request a trade,” and we might do that in the future. However, there’s also a valid argument for Curry approaching owner Joe Lacob about the possibility of moving on, a discussion that is likely to occur within Curry’s inner circle in the coming months. It’s important for us to cover this perspective as well.
So, why might a franchise icon consider leaving the only NBA team he’s ever known? Let’s explore three compelling reasons that might make such a move a possibility.
3 Reasons Steph Curry should demand a trade from the Warriors right now
No. 1: The Warriors are longshots just to make the playoffs
Last season, the Golden State Warriors achieved 46 wins, which was a solid record for a strong team. However, those wins only placed them 10th in the Western Conference, forcing them into a single elimination game on the road against Sacramento, which they lost.
Despite this, there are reasons for optimism about the Warriors’ prospects this season. They’ve made a trio of promising free-agent signings and are expecting a full season from Draymond Green.
However, the Western Conference has only grown more competitive. The Memphis Grizzlies, now healthy, are likely to return to the Top 6. The New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings, who finished just above the Warriors, have also improved.
The Houston Rockets, who were behind the Warriors last season, should show progress. The San Antonio Spurs may feature a top 10 player and have added former Warriors Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes. The Utah Jazz, who didn’t trade Lauri Markkanen, could remain competitive, especially if they use their trade assets to acquire Brandon Ingram. Among the teams in similar standings, only the LA Clippers are expected to perform worse next year.
No. 2: The Warriors are not willing to go all-in
Facing long odds in the playoffs can be bearable if the entire team and organization are fully committed to pushing for a championship. Win or lose, knowing you gave it your all can be satisfying.
For Stephen Curry, though, it’s challenging to see the Warriors’ recent moves and believe the organization is fully dedicated to building a contender around him. While there are valid reasons for not acquiring stars like Paul George or Lauri Markkanen, they often involve reluctance to part with promising young players.
Brandin Podziemski impressed as a rookie, Jonathan Kuminga has notable scoring potential, and James Wiseman showed promise as a future star. However, the Warriors have struggled to balance development with contending, leaving no clear player ready to join Curry and Draymond Green in a title push.
Other contending teams have made bold moves to secure championships. The Milwaukee Bucks traded extensively for Jrue Holiday and won a title. The Denver Nuggets swapped all their draft picks for Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, which led to their championship. The Boston Celtics traded picks for Derrick White and Jrue Holiday and also secured a title. While contending teams might make mistakes in trying to convert draft picks into immediate help, making such moves is often essential for winning championships.
Stephen Curry doesn’t have an endless amount of time to maintain a top-10 level of play. The Warriors didn’t make significant moves last summer, didn’t act at the trade deadline, and have struggled to make impactful changes this summer, largely due to their reluctance to part with their drafted young players.
For an all-time great like Curry, facing the possibility of spending the remainder of his prime on a team full of developing youngsters is a tough reality. It’s a challenging situation when you’re at the peak of your career and see the team’s efforts falling short of building a championship-caliber roster around you.
No. 3: Curry still wants to win
Stephen Curry’s performance in Team USA’s Olympic semifinal against Nikola Jokic and Serbia was nothing short of extraordinary. With 36 points, just shy of Carmelo Anthony’s Olympic record, and a remarkable 9-for-14 shooting from three-point range, Curry demonstrated his elite level of play. Adding eight rebounds to his stat line and celebrating with LeBron James and Kevin Durant highlighted his competitive drive and desire to win.
Curry’s commitment to excellence is evident from his rigorous offseason training, which has led to six NBA Finals appearances and four championships. Despite his professionalism and loyalty to the Warriors, he has been clear that he doesn’t want to end his career on a struggling team. Curry recently hinted that his future with the Warriors could be uncertain if the team doesn’t remain competitive.
Given his achievements—a pair of MVPs, four championships, and an Olympic gold medal—it’s understandable to question whether Curry can be content facing longshot odds for the playoffs. Standing before his trophy case, the disparity between his past successes and the current state of the team could make it difficult for him to accept a future of mediocrity.
Leave a Reply