“There is a responsibility on keeping the franchise in a good space and good spot when it comes to where we leave this thing when we’re done,” Stephen Curry told reporters after the Warriors lost to the Raptors on Monday. “Nobody wants to be stale or be in a situation where you’re passing up opportunities. But it doesn’t mean that you’re desperate, just flinging assets all around the place.”

Does it not give the vibe of Tom Brady’s last season in New England? In 2020, the Patriots had cap issues, the roster was aging, and the franchise was clearly set for a shuffle. Brady, reading the situation well, left for Tampa Bay. Rest is history. Winning his seventh ring, he cemented himself as the undisputed NFL GOAT. Here in the NBA, Steph looks to be in a similar condition where he has to take a call on whether he will stick to the Warriors, no matter what, or chase another championship elsewhere.

Unlike Brady, Steph can’t become a free agent. He is signed through 2026-27 for $122.21 million after an extension last offseason. So if he wants to move on, he has to request a trade. He is, in fact, eligible to be traded this season. Well, we do remember Steph saying, “I can clearly say I want to be a Warrior for life. It’s always been my goal, and I’m saying that sitting in this chair right now.” But we also didn’t forget what he added next: “Life, and especially life in the NBA, is a wild environment, and things change quickly!” So is there any change imminent? Amidst the team’s ongoing trouble, HC Steve Kerr had to come out and assure everyone of Curry’s loyalty.

Kerr recently turned up for an interview on 95.7 The Game. The interview takes place after the Warriors‘ matchup against the Raptors which took their win record all the way down to 19-20. This precarious position of the Bay Area franchise has caused many to question whether Stephen Curry may choose to leave the franchise. The head coach denied that the team had any intentions of trading away their star. At the same time, he made it clear that despite the major losing streak that the team developed this season, Curry’s stance remains the same.

“I don’t think so,” Kerr said. “I just think Steph loves the Warriors. He loves the idea of being a Warrior for life. I think that’s so meaningful for him. He has no intention. That’s what makes him unique and different. That’s why he’s not asking the organization to trade everything to go get him help.”

“Steph is so special in so many different ways,” Kerr continued. “His self-awareness is just incredible. It’s so meaningful for him to be a Warrior. I don’t think our fans have to ever worry about that… He’s just an incredible performer and we’re all lucky to watch him play. Hopefully, that’s something that goes on for another few years, it sure looks like it.” However, one thing Kerr considers is how the Warriors can make things better for Curry.

“It’s just a question of man, can we help him? What can we do? I watch him still out there performing and playing at such a high level, and he’s bringing so much joy to people, not only at Chase but in every arena; people are so excited to see this guy play,” Kerr added. “There’s so much value in that. Watching him perform. I think our fans recognize that and understand that. And they want to see him perform as long as possible as they should.” No way to deny that. Look at what Curry did against the Raptors.

Curry surpassed Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant in career points and assists in the 104-101 loss to the Raptors. The NBA’s all-time leading three-point shooter now has 24,371 career points, passing Iverson for 28th on the all-time scoring list. He also has 6,308 career assists, passing Bryant for 35th in assists. Curry finished the game with 26 points and seven assists.

It is important to remember that Curry is no longer a young player. At 36, he may end up seeking retirement within the next half-decade or so. Even though he is already regarded as among the greatest NBA players of the modern generation, Steph would still want to add to his legacy before finally hanging his jersey. Adding a 5 championship title would certainly go a long way in cementing his contribution to the NBA. Unfortunately, despite his ambition, the rest of the Warriors squad isn’t making things easier for him.

The Warriors underwent several changes during the recent off-season. Changes that converted the team in a major way. Initially, it was believed that these changes were for the better as the Warriors went on a 12-3 run. However, the downfall then began in a major manner. The team now has more losses than wins. They occupy the 12th seed on the points chart and have dropped below .500 for the first time this season. Curry himself had gotten critical of the roster, going so far as to state “Like the kids say, we’re very mid right now.” Time is limited for Curry, and he would be justified to not spend it with a team he believes cannot win a championship again.

If Curry is not going to go to another team, then he has to play under a better team that compliments him. The player knows this and has already laid out his expectations for the same.

Stephen Curry gives “desperate” trade warning as Warriors hold $199.35 million salary cap

In the aftermath of the Raptors’ loss, Stephen Curry highlighted his belief that the roster needs to change. With the February deadline approaching fast, there is no better time to change than now. While Curry may want speed, he also wants the decisions to be taken bearing in mind the long-term and financial standing. After all, the Warriors currently hold a Salary Cap of $199.35 million. This means that they have already passed the Luxury Tax and Apron limits implemented under the updated CBA guidelines. Therefore, any future trade decisions by the Warriors need to take into consideration the fact that the limit is not crossed any further.

“[It] Doesn’t mean that you’re not trying to get better. It doesn’t mean that you’re not active in any type of search, if you have an opportunity where a trade makes sense or even in the summer free agency [move] makes sense. You want to continue to get better,” Curry said.

Interestingly, Stephen A. Smith discussed Curry’s level-headed remarks on Tuesday’s episode of First Take, where he disagreed with the sharpshooter’s comments and the notion the organization needs to make a desperate move and potentially mortgage the future to win now. “I was surprised at what Steph Curry said, and I got to admit to you, I don’t know how to feel about it,” Smith said. “Because on one hand, I really really appreciate the selflessness on Steph Curry’s part. But in the same breath, I’m saying he is still great. He is still the greatest shooter god ever created. He is still made of that championship armor.”

“You can’t stop where you are at this pace when you’ve got a guy like Steph Curry. You’re wasting away. So even though I appreciate what he said, it’s hard to believe that he believes that. And if he does believe that, god bless him, but I don’t give a damn. If I’m Joe Lacob, I’m like, ‘what’s the chances of at any time in the remainder of my lifetime as owner of the Golden State Warriors that I’m going to find me another Steph Curry?’ What’s the chances of me pulling that off? I’ve got to capitalize and max this out,” Smith added.

The Golden State Warriors certainly need a miracle to put them even in the playoffs berth this season. However, if things improve for them roster-wise, one can hope that a championship comes their way the next season; at least for Stephen Curry’s sake.