The new NBA season is just a few weeks away, and even though free agency chatter is still going strong with a bunch of good players yet to sign anywhere, one story that keeps popping up doesn’t even involve a free agent. It’s about Stephen Curry, and now ESPN insider Brian Windhorst has weighed in with some fresh details.
Brian Windhorst’s Revelation Regarding Stephen Curry’s Contract
On the latest episode of “Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective,” Windhorst discussed Curry’s current contract situation with the Golden State Warriors. He also explained how the NBA’s “Over-38 rule” could play an important role in what happens next.
“The latest drama is about whether Steph is going to sign. It’s what’s on the plate of him in the Warriors… when you’re over the age of 38 in the NBA, you can only be under contract for a maximum of three years. This is an old rule from the ’90s when they would give guys that are going away contracts.”
“They would sorta average down their salary. It used to be over 36. When Chris Paul and LeBron James were running the players’ association and they were getting on to like their mid 30’s they pushed it to 38. There was a whole package of changes that they made to the rules,” Windhorst said during the segment.
The rule limits the length of contracts that older players can receive in certain situations.
It was designed to prevent teams from using long-term contracts to circumvent the salary cap by pushing money into years when a player is unlikely to play. Under the rule, compensation for seasons after a player turns 38 can be treated as deferred compensation that forces teams to structure the money differently.
Curry is now 38, which means that the rule is directly relevant to his situation. If he signs an extension with the Warriors right now, it can only run for two years. A three-year contract would become possible if Curry reaches free agency and signs a new deal.
Curry is currently in the final year of a one-year veteran extension with Golden State. He is set to make $62,587,158 during the 2026-27 season. He became eligible in late August to sign a maximum two-year extension worth around $136.7 million. Such a deal would keep him with the Warriors through the 2028-29 season.
The Warriors also have one major advantage in this situation. Curry has made it clear that he wants to finish his career with the Golden State Warriors.
“There’s no question I want to be here the rest of my career, and I’m pretty sure that’s going to happen,” Curry said to NBC Sports Bay Area.
Anthony Slater, who was also part of the segment, provided further insight into how the discussions are unfolding.
According to him, this isn’t really a traditional negotiation between the two sides. Instead, the Warriors are essentially presenting Curry with different options and allowing the veteran guard to decide what he wants to do.
“He can do one year max, or he can wait. And again, the Warriors have presented him with these options. One thing I will tell you from talking to people this weekend. They are adamant they are not negotiating with Steph Curry right now. They are saying you can do this, you can do this, if you want the one year max, if you want the two year max, if you wanna wait. Like here’s your menu. Pick off your menu,” Slater said during the segment.
That makes the situation particularly interesting. Curry has spent his entire NBA career with the Warriors and has already established himself as the greatest player in franchise history. The question now is not necessarily whether the Warriors want him back, but what contract structure makes the most sense for both sides.
Last season, Curry averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game. However, injuries became a major issue. He missed 39 games during the 2025-26 campaign..
His absence had a major impact on Golden State. The Warriors struggled to stay in the playoff race and eventually had to settle for the Play-In Tournament. They defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in the first game but were then eliminated by the Phoenix Suns.
Now, with another season approaching, Curry’s contract has become an important storyline.
