Steph Curry insisted that he is looking to the future after the Golden State Warriors’ play-in loss to the Sacramento Kings.
The Warriors have been the defining NBA team of the past decade but their aging roster of superstar talents is starting to look increasingly mortal. They suffered a humiliating 118-94 play-in loss to the Kings at Golden 1 Center, outplayed by a younger and more dynamic team.
“We’ve been really blessed here with some amazing players and multiple championships and Finals appearances, the highest of highs,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told reporters after the defeat. “This is the flip side. This is life. This is how it works. You don’t get to stay on top forever.”
He was not the only defeated Warrior who suggested that this all-conquering team needs a refresh if they are going to compete for the championship again next season.
What did Steph Curry say about the Warriors?
Few players in the history of basketball have had as profound an impact on the game as Steph Curry. He – along with fellow Warriors stalwarts Klay Thompson and Draymond Green – has won four championships with the Warriors but now in his mid-30s acknowledged that changes are needed to compete at the highest level.
“We obviously understand the league has changed and we’re getting deeper into our careers and we have to continue to evolve and make the necessary adjustments to win games,” Curry said after the play-in loss. “But we put a lot of time into it. I think I worked harder than I ever have at being prepared for a season and being able to perform at the level that I expect, and [Thompson and Green] have been through it with me.”
Kerr has insisted that he hopes to keep that championship-winning trio – Curry, Thompson, Green – together as the organisation looks to plan for the future. Curry, too, seems intent on being a part of the rebuild as they look to bounce back from Tuesday’s chastening loss.
Curry said: “At the end of the day, I just want to win. I know that’s fully possible. I know the summer is going to be a lot of conversations and trying to set up ourselves to win, whatever that means. I hope that’s the outcome.”
Will Klay Thompson sign a new contract with the Warriors?
Another key storyline in the aftermath of the defeat to the Kings was Klay Thompson’s impending free agency as the 34-year-old reaches the end of his $189.9 million five-year contract. Tuesday was an evening to forget for Thompson, who recorded 0-for-10.
The Athletic reports that the Dallas Mavericks are interested in acquiring Thompson, while the Orlando Magic could make use of around $60 million in salary cap space to bring an seasoned winner to the team.
However, indications from the Warriors suggest that they are eager to keep Thompson with the team. On Thursday general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr told reporters: “Certainly, we want Klay back… I expressed that to him yesterday.”