The Curry Countdown

Stephen Curry isn't just playing basketball - he's racing against time. At 37 years old, the Warriors' cornerstone averaged 24.5 points this season while maintaining 39.7% shooting from three-point range. His recent hamstring injury during the playoffs serves as a stark reminder: Golden State must act fast.

Contract Timeline

Curry's four-year $215M deal runs through 2027, creating a clear two-year championship window. As Curry himself stated: "Our core group - me, Draymond, Jimmy, Coach Kerr - we've got two years left to make this work." This timeline pressures management to build a roster that reduces Curry's workload without sacrificing competitiveness.

Butler's High-Stakes Experiment

The February 2025 trade for Jimmy Butler (35) brought both excitement and questions. While Butler's $121M/2yr extension shows commitment, his playoff performance told two stories:

Bright Spots

- Averaged 24.3 PPG when Curry was injured
- Showed defensive versatility against multiple positions

Concerns

- Inconsistent fourth-quarter shooting (39% FG)
- Clunky fit with Draymond Green in small-ball lineups

Coach Steve Kerr plans to test Butler as secondary playmaker during preseason: "We need him to be our safety valve when defenses swarm Steph."

Three Critical Offseason Moves

1. Fix the Frontcourt

Golden State's playoff loss exposed their lack of size. Targeting Brook Lopez makes sense - the veteran center shot 37% from deep last season while providing elite rim protection.

2. Kuminga Crossroads

Jonathan Kuminga's 24.3 PPG playoff average complicates his restricted Free Agency. A sign-and-trade could net the Warriors either:
- Defensive wing (e.g., Alex Caruso)
- First-round draft capital

3. Salary Cap Juggling

With $258.6M committed for 2025-26, tough choices loom:
- Trade Andrew Wiggins ($24.3M expiring)
- Let Gary Payton II walk in free agency

Final Verdict: Win-Now Mode Activated

The Warriors face their most consequential offseason since drafting Curry. All signs point to aggressive moves - from pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo (via three-team trades) to targeting playoff-tested role players like Naz Reid. With Curry's 38th birthday approaching, Golden State must choose: mortgage the future for one last title run, or risk wasting basketball history's greatest shooter's final years.