Curry's Contract Allowed Warriors To Land Durant
OAKLAND (CBS SF) – There is a dictionary full of adjectives and phrases that have been used to describe Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry.
But one that has not been uttered often enough is "bargain."
The NBA has entered its free agency period when the phrase, "millions of dollars" is tossed around with nearly the same carefree attitude that one talks about the latest value meal at the local burger joint.
And how is it that the Warriors – who have had one of the most impressive two-year runs in NBA history – can afford to keep all three of the NBA All-Stars on its roster – Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green -- and still sign one of the most prized free agents to hit the open market since LeBron James?
Curry is a major reason why the Warriors were able to lure Kevin Durant to the Bay Area.
READ : Kevin Durant Leaving OKC For Golden State Warriors
On his own team, Curry's $12.1 million salary ranks behind Thompson's $17.8, Green's $16.5 million and Andrew Bogut's $12.68 heading into the 2016-2017 season.
Curry averaged 25 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.4 steals a game in the regular season as Golden State rolled to a league record 73 wins. Oh yeah, and he won his second consecutive NBA MVP award.
Then playing on a damaged leg, he helped the team defend its NBA title down to the last seconds of Game 7 of the NBA Finals before falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He never talked much about his injuries, but his play fell short of his regular season performances.
All too often in today's sports world after an athlete puts up stats like Curry has for the last several seasons, they hole up somewhere with their agent and demand to have their contract renegotiated before they step back on the court, playing field or baseball diamond.
Acting like a spoiled child is not Curry's style. He has played at his best and chosen to wait until his current pact runs out next season.
And now he has allowed the Warriors the opportunity to create a true super team with four NBA All-Stars and three of the game's deadliest scorers in the league.