Stephen Curry extending his stay in the Bay by one year wasn’t a byproduct of loyalty. It was a carefully calculated tactic that reinstills a desire to compete within the organization. How one might wonder? The Warriors didn’t adorn their roster with another superstar. To the common eye, Curry is left stranded with no help having to pound through another season without any hopes for a title. But the four-time champion isn’t sitting silent. He is involved hands-on.

According to The Athletic, Curry didn’t delay signing his extension by one year as a method to show faith in the Mike Dunleavy-led front office. And behind the scenes, he too did his part in helping with recruitment. As the article states, Curry tried to influence Paul George, one of the coveted free agents to join the Warriors before he declared his allegiance to Philadelphia.

In the following weeks, the Bay also missed out on Lauri Markannen. Yet, Curry is unfazed. He is confident that the Warriors will foster an environment that encourages competition rather than submitting to their lacking roster. The window, instead two years, has been stretched to three.

However, without any upgrades around him, his message when signing an extension remains the same. “It’s still about winning and taking the steps necessary to give ourselves a chance. The standard hasn’t changed. The expectation hasn’t changed,” he told The Athletic. 

So even though the road seems rocky, Stephen Curry is devoted to resurging the Warriors, even if it might be the final act of his illustrious career.

Stephen Curry had Paul George convinced to join the Warriors

Looking back at the offseason, the Warriors were strongly linked to being the next destination for Paul George. Klay Thompson’s exit created an opportunity for PG13 to step into the role. His two-way skills and elite shooting made him an ideal fit. The now 76ers forward was fully convinced by the pitch Stephen Curry and the Warriors presented to him.

“That was a real thing that was close to being done. That deal was close to being done from what I was being told on the situation, they was expressing just how much they wanted me there, how I could have fit in perfectly with Draymond [Green], Steph [Curry]. Klay [Thompson] probably would’ve stayed. [Brandin] Podziemski, [Jonathan] Kuminga, [Andrew] Wiggins,” he said on his podcast.

George had the Bay as his first choice. It would allow him to be close to home and also play for a team that had cultivated a championship heritage. Unfortunately, the Los Angeles Clippers weren’t swayed by the offer presented by the Warriors. The trade fell through after that, which eventually led to George signing with the 76ers. “I think Steph is a unicorn, one of one player, and Joel’s a unicorn…So it was kind of like a good situation to be in the middle of” he admitted.

Even though the Warriors aren’t adequately equipped today, the trade deadline opens in February. Not only has Stephen Curry woke the squad up with his powerful admission, but he will look to savor his last few years in the league. If they pounce on their opposition and are placed well by the deadline, they could potentially modify their lineup that is fitting to call themselves contenders.

Do you think Stephen Curry and the Warriors have another title written in their destiny? Let us know in the comments below.