Steph Curry admits he could consider other teams if the Warriors are no longer competitive

Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry has always been unwavering in his desire to be a Warrior for life. Like the legends before him, Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, and Dirk Nowitzki, who all retired with the teams that drafted them, Steph wants to walk on the same hallowed ground they stepped on.

At the same time, the two-time NBA MVP is aware of the challenges superstars face when riding out their careers with one team. He saw it with the late, great Kobe Bryant, whose last season with the Los Angeles Lakers was an abject disaster. That Lakers team finished with an awful 17-65 record in 2016. The same thing happened with Dirk, as the Mavericks limped to a 33-49 record in his final season in 2019.

Despite the departure of his longtime backcourt partner and fellow "Splash Brother," and with a few roster tweaks, Steph is determined to lift the Dubs as high as possible this upcoming season and the ones to come.

Nothing is guaranteed in the NBA

For the better part of the decade, the Warriors have been the league's standard-bearer, making the NBA Finals six times in eight seasons, winning four championships. However, since winning the crown in 2022, things haven't gone the Dubs' way of late. They got eliminated in the second round in 2023 and didn't even get past the Play-in Tournament this past season.

Despite those setbacks, Curry's resolve remains unwavering. He knows that with the addition of several solid role players and the continued development of young talent Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and Trayce Jackson-Davis, the Dubs have a chance to return to their dominant form. However, Curry is also aware that nothing is guaranteed in the NBA. Injuries, roster changes, and fierce competition can all derail even the strongest of teams.

"I've always said I want to be a Warrior for life. At this stage in my career, I feel like that's possible. And you can still be competitive. It doesn't mean you are guaranteed the championship. It doesn't mean winning. Winning is always a priority, but obviously, you're realistic," Curry said in a conversation with Marc Spears.

Klay's departure from the Bay Area for Dallas indicates that the Warriors have veered off to a different course, one they haven't been on since their championship reign. And while it may be a challenging adjustment, Curry remains confident in the team's ability to adapt and thrive.

"You need to shake things up and keep reimagining what it looks like to evolve with what league is at right now, with where some of these talented teams are now," Steph shared.

Dubs must stay competitive

Although the end is nearer than the beginning, Steph chooses to stay in the present rather than focus on an uncertain future. After losing Klay in free agency, the Dubs quickly signed three players who can improve their overall play: defensive guard De'Anthony Melton, sharpshooter Buddy Hield, and do-it-all forward Kyle Anderson.

While it remains to be seen how much impact these new additions will have on the Warriors' campaign, Steph believes that the team's ability to stay true to its tenets of hard work, adaptability, and resilience will ultimately determine its success.

"I'm taking it one step at a time to be honest. I think that's the only way that will protect my happiness. Also, it allows me to enjoy being myself when I'm out there playing," the ten-time All-NBA team member remarked.

As committed as Steph is to the Dubs, he left himself some wiggle room for the future. This "wiggle room" refers to the possibility of Curry considering other teams if the Warriors' competitiveness declines.

"I want to win. Let's put it this way, it's a longwinded way of saying that 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 stressed.

Now 36, Steph knows he's almost at the twilight of his career. Father Time is undefeated, and at some point, it will get the better of the all-time great. For now, Curry is focused on building a legacy with the Warriors and chasing championships.

Related: "I just pray it works out" - Curry says he fully supports Klay's decision to start anew in Dallas