The Golden State Warriors core is steadily beginning to fall apart. After some vital championship pieces left in the past years, the departure of Klay Thompson might be indicative of the beginning of the end. In the frantic environment, the last of the Warriors’ concerns is Stephen Curry, who maintains his stature as one of the league’s high-profile superstars. Since the time of his drafting, the Chef has remained loyal to the Bay.

But if the dynasty crumbles, is there a point to stay?

Recently, Warriors owner Joe Lacob joined the TK Show to speak about the franchise and Curry’s potential future. Notably, the ten-time NBA All-Star has an option to sign a one-year $62.6 million extension if he decides to extend before the season. So far, though, no deliberation between the parties has taken place due to his commitment to the Paris Olympics.

“Yeah, we have not discussed it. He’s busy right now. And he should stay busy and focus on that with the Olympics,” Lacob said on the TK Show. 

Despite there being no active communication over his future, Lacob expressed confidence in Stephen Curry’s Bay spirit. “I fully anticipate he will be a Warrior for life,” the successful owner claimed. At the same time, Lacob also admitted he felt the same about Klay Thompson and “I was wrong”.

Thompson too was an integral part of the Warriors franchise. He formed the essence of the Splash Brothers besides Curry. and gave the Bay 13 years of his credible career. Yet, he left. But there’s little to no doubt that he didn’t mean what Curry does to the Warriors. Probably why Joe Lacob has openly stated he wants to “see him play as long as he wants” in Warriors colors.

Two weeks ago, the Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy was posed with the same question. His sentiments mirrored that of Lacob with the assumption of Curry’s desire to be a Warrior for life. Moreover, Dunleavy also professed the franchise will provide whatever Curry wants to see him continue and adorn his legacy as a Warrior.

Stephen Curry doesn’t see himself leaving, but there are conditions

At 36, Curry just added a Clutch Player of The Year to his vibrant trophy cabinet. His shooting and menacing ball handling still have defenders dumbfounded. So there is no doubt over his capacity to stay consistent and effective. And now, after spending all of his career in the Bay, even he admitted his wishes of not wanting to leave.

However, he isn’t blindly devoted to playing out his career with the Warriors. There is one condition.

“I’ll continue to make the decisions that are best for me and for my career at the end of the day when it comes to just the imagination. I want to win. Let’s put it this way, it’s a longwinded way of saying that it if it is a situation where you’re a bottom feeder and it’s just because you want to stay there, I’d have a hard time with that. But I don’t think that’s going to be the reality,” Curry told Andscape.

In the past five years now, the Warriors have only made the postseason twice. In the past year, the Bay narrowly missed going through. That was with a hobbled, but still, contributive Klay Thompson. Now, not only have they lost Curry’s close confidante and backcourt partner, but they haven’t found an adequate replacement to cover his loss.

If Lacob and the Warriors wish to be hosts to Stephen Curry for the remainder of his career, they need to provide him with a suitable project aimed at winning. Judging by the recent rumors, there are talks of All-Star forward Lauri Markannen being a potential target during the offseason. Not only is he young, but his selflessness and ability to shoot the ball seem to feed into the Warriors’ culture.

The time is slowly ticking, and the Warriors need to act quickly. Yes, they will lose some of their invaluable young core at the worst. But the upside is having the additional years of Stephen Curry, the most successful Warrior of all time.