Stephen Curry has put an end to the speculation surrounding his future by signing a one-year contract extension with the Golden State Warriors, keeping him with the team until 2027. The extension is reportedly worth $62.6 million (£47.5 million), bringing Curry’s total guaranteed earnings over the next three years to an impressive $178 million (£135 million).

The 36-year-old superstar, a two-time NBA MVP and four-time NBA champion, is now set to become the fourth NBA player to surpass $500 million in career earnings, joining the ranks of LeBron James, Paul George, and Kevin Durant. By the end of this new deal, Curry’s on-court earnings will reach approximately $532 million (£403 million), making him the second-highest earner in NBA history, trailing only LeBron James ($580 million).

Curry, who has spent his entire NBA career with the Warriors since being drafted seventh overall in 2009, remains a central figure in the team’s plans. However, this season marks a significant shift, as he will be without long-time teammate Klay Thompson. Despite Curry’s efforts to keep Thompson in Golden State, the sharpshooter departed for the Dallas Mavericks in free agency, ending his 13-year tenure with the Warriors.

As Golden State enters a new era, Curry and Draymond Green stand as the only remaining members of the core that powered the team to multiple championships. The Warriors are now looking to integrate more young talent as they rebuild after missing last season’s playoffs.

Curry’s Impact on Basketball

Stephen Curry has fundamentally changed the way basketball is played. Alongside Klay Thompson, the duo earned the nickname “Splash Brothers” for their exceptional three-point shooting. Curry, standing at 6’2″, became a game-changer with his unparalleled accuracy from beyond the arc, setting a new standard for what’s expected from players in every position.

In 2022, Curry became the NBA’s all-time leader in three-pointers, with his total now standing at 3,747. That year also marked the Warriors’ fourth championship in eight years, a triumph widely regarded as Curry’s crowning achievement.

Even at 36, Curry shows no signs of slowing down. Last season, he averaged 26.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists, while shooting 45% overall and 40.8% from three-point range. He also led the NBA in three-point field goals for the eighth time in his career, with 357—the third-highest single-season total, behind his own record of 402 set in 2015-16.

Curry’s clutch performance in the closing moments of games remains unmatched. Last season, he led the league in points (189), three-pointers (32), and field goals made (59) during crunch time.

Adding to his legacy, Curry became only the fifth NBA player to have won at least four NBA championships, two MVP awards, and an Olympic gold medal during the Paris Olympics, joining the legendary company of LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Bill Russell.