The Unavoidable Steph Curry Problem for the Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have been one of the most dominant teams in modern basketball history, largely due to the exceptional talent and leadership of Stephen Curry. However, despite his undeniable brilliance on the court, there are a series of challenges that the Warriors must confront as they continue to build their future around Curry. The so-called “Steph Curry problem” is not one that is caused by his performance—his skills and influence on the game remain unparalleled—but rather a set of issues that emerge because of his age, the team’s organizational dynamics, the increasing pressure for immediate success, and the evolving nature of the NBA. The Warriors face a delicate balancing act: how to continue maximizing Curry’s prime while preparing for the inevitable decline of his career.

The Context: Curry’s Dominance and the Warriors’ Glory Years

Stephen Curry’s rise to superstardom has redefined what it means to be an NBA player. From his groundbreaking three-point shooting to his unparalleled ability to stretch the floor, Curry has become not only the face of the Warriors franchise but also the face of an entire basketball revolution. His success was instrumental in the Warriors’ three championships in five years (2015, 2017, and 2018), and his individual accolades—including multiple MVP awards—cemented him as one of the greatest players of all time. His ability to transform the game through his shooting, ball-handling, and leadership on the court elevated the Warriors to unprecedented heights and made them perennial title contenders.

However, as Curry approaches his mid-30s, the Warriors’ situation becomes increasingly complex. The question is no longer simply how to maximize Curry’s immense talents, but how to construct a team capable of remaining competitive once he starts to show signs of aging.

The Age Factor: The Clock Is Ticking

Curry, born in 1988, is now 35 years old. While he has defied the typical physical limitations associated with aging athletes, especially in terms of his shooting, there is no denying that he is not getting any younger. NBA players typically experience a decline in their physical abilities in their mid-30s, and even though Curry has maintained remarkable health and conditioning, it’s unrealistic to expect him to remain at his current peak forever.

The Warriors have been somewhat insulated from the concerns of Curry’s aging process thanks to his extraordinary skillset and his ability to adapt his game. However, there are still lingering questions about how much longer Curry can be the franchise’s primary engine. Even if he can continue to shoot the ball at an elite level into his late 30s, the Warriors will inevitably face diminishing returns in other aspects of his game, such as defense and athleticism. These declines could make Curry less effective in certain situations, especially as the team faces more athletic, defensively skilled teams that can exploit his limitations.

The Warriors are in a position where they need to plan for the post-Curry future, even if that future remains a few years away. This brings us to the first unavoidable problem: how to transition from a team built around Curry to one that can compete for championships once he’s no longer the centerpiece of the roster.

The Financial Reality: Maximizing Curry’s Prime vs. Long-Term Sustainability

The financial side of the Warriors’ roster construction has been another complicating factor. The team has been willing to spend lavishly to keep their championship window open, and they’ve made it work with a combination of star power and depth. The Warriors’ front office, led by General Manager Bob Myers, has made numerous moves to supplement Curry with other talent, from acquiring Kevin Durant to drafting players like Jordan Poole, James Wiseman, and Moses Moody. Yet as Curry gets older, the financial pressures only increase.

Curry’s contract, worth $51 million for the 2024-2025 season, is one of the largest in the NBA. The Warriors will need to make difficult decisions regarding how to allocate their resources moving forward. They have already entered the luxury tax territory, with a bloated payroll that is only going to increase as they try to retain other key players like Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, who are also on the back end of their careers. At some point, the Warriors may need to choose between retaining an aging core of superstars or rebuilding for the future.

To make matters worse, the salary cap in the NBA has remained relatively stagnant in recent years, meaning the Warriors have fewer financial resources available to build around Curry and his aging supporting cast. While Curry will likely remain the face of the franchise, and deservedly so, the Warriors will need to carefully manage their finances to avoid a roster that is both expensive and underperforming.

The Draft and Development Conundrum: Too Little, Too Late?

The Warriors’ draft record since their championship run has been a mixed bag. They have invested heavily in young talent, bringing in players like James Wiseman, Moses Moody, and Jonathan Kuminga. However, the development of these players has not been as fast or as consistent as the Warriors might have hoped. Wiseman, in particular, has been a disappointment, with multiple injuries and an inability to carve out a consistent role on the team. Meanwhile, the jury is still out on the other two, though they have shown promise in limited minutes.

The Warriors’ win-now mentality over the past few years has meant that the team hasn’t been able to prioritize player development in the same way that rebuilding teams might. This lack of on-the-job training for younger players, combined with an aging core, has led to a situation where the Warriors’ roster lacks the depth of young talent that could one day replace their aging stars. The question then becomes: can the Warriors bridge the gap between Curry’s prime years and a potential future without him by relying on the development of these younger players? And if so, is it already too late to develop them into meaningful contributors?

While the Warriors will continue to invest in their younger players, they may find themselves in a situation where they are forced to go all-in on a final championship push before Curry begins to decline, leaving little room for future planning. If the young players fail to develop quickly enough, the Warriors risk losing both the current title window and the opportunity for a smooth transition to the post-Curry era.

The Pressure to Win Now: Can Curry’s Last Years Be His Best?

The Warriors are under tremendous pressure to win championships while Curry is still in his prime. This creates a situation where the front office might feel compelled to make moves that prioritize short-term success over long-term sustainability. Trades for immediate contributors, taking on extra salary in exchange for veterans, and even the potential of moving some of their young assets may become viable options as they push for one last title run with Curry at the helm.

At the same time, the Warriors cannot afford to ignore the future. If they continue to mortgage their future by giving up draft picks and young players in exchange for aging veterans, they risk becoming a team stuck in mediocrity once Curry’s prime is over. This dilemma has already begun to manifest in moves like the acquisition of Chris Paul, a future Hall of Famer, but one who is 39 years old and nearing the end of his career. While the addition of Paul could help the Warriors contend for another championship, it also signals an urgent, last-chance push that may leave the team with fewer resources to build for the future.

The Steph Curry Problem: A Reflection of Larger NBA Trends

The “Steph Curry problem” is not unique to the Warriors alone. It represents a broader challenge for all championship-contending teams with aging superstars. While Curry is still playing at an elite level, other franchises are facing similar issues with their own stars. Teams that are built around veteran superstars—like LeBron James with the Los Angeles Lakers or Kevin Durant with the Phoenix Suns—are all contending with the difficult task of staying competitive in the present while preparing for the inevitable decline of their star players.

In this context, the Warriors are not just dealing with Curry’s age and their roster-building challenges, but with the increasing difficulty of maintaining a long-term competitive edge in an NBA where younger teams are rising quickly. The emergence of superstars like Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Ja Morant—along with an influx of fresh talent through the draft—makes it clear that the Warriors will eventually face stiffer competition from younger, more athletic teams.

The Warriors, however, have the benefit of a visionary leader in Curry, who has transcended the typical timeline of an athlete’s career by continuously adapting his game. If they can build around him effectively—whether through retaining some of their young players or making calculated trades for future assets—the Warriors may be able to extend their championship window beyond what seems possible given the normal trajectory of NBA teams.

Conclusion: Facing the Unavoidable

The “Steph Curry problem” is a complex, multifaceted issue that the Warriors must navigate carefully in the years ahead. They cannot ignore the reality of Curry’s age, the financial constraints of their roster, or the need for long-term sustainability. Yet they also cannot disregard the incredible potential of having one of the greatest players in NBA history still in his prime, capable of carrying the team to another championship.

In the end, the Warriors’ ability to balance their present and future will determine whether they can remain a championship contender during the twilight years of Curry’s career. With the right mix of young talent, strategic moves, and a commitment to maximizing Curry’s final years as an elite player, the Warriors may be able to avoid falling into the trap of a sudden rebuild and instead transition smoothly into a new era of basketball success. However, the unavoidable reality is that no team, no player, and no championship window lasts forever. The Warriors’ challenge will be to embrace this reality, plan accordingly, and ensure that Curry’s legacy remains synonymous with greatness long after his playing days are over.