About this episodeThe Warriors are presenting Steph Curry with a menu of extension options (2-year max, 1-year max, or waiting) …AI summary
The Warriors are presenting Steph Curry with a menu of extension options (2-year max, 1-year max, or waiting) to preserve cap flexibility for the 2027 free agency, leveraging his age 38 status and expiring contracts of Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. Meanwhile, the Pistons are in a tense standoff with Jaylen Green over a restricted free agent contract, constrained by apron limits and tax concerns, while international basketball updates highlight strong performances from Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama.
Key takeaways 6
Steph Curry's extension strategy: The Warriors are not negotiating but offering a menu (2-year max at ~$136M, 1-year max, or wait). Waiting allows for a 3-year deal stretching salary past age 41, potentially creating more cap space via the stretch provision.
Warriors Cap Space Mechanics: If Curry takes the 2-year max, Warriors have ~$45M in cap space. If they cut Kristaps Porzingis (20M owed, 3M guaranteed), they can add $17M to that space. Expiring contracts of Jimmy Butler ($56.8M) and Draymond Green ($27.6M) provide significant trade flexibility.
Pistons vs. Jaylen Green: The Pistons are struggling to sign Jaylen Green due to apron constraints. They are ~$36.5M under the tax but fear hitting the second apron. The Pistons' strategy involves non-guaranteed years and maneuverability, but they cannot offer the full 25% max ($41-42M) that other young stars like Cade Cunningham or Jalen Duren (Kings) are getting.
Jaylen Duren (Kings) Situation: The Kings are in a 'staring contest' with Jaylen Duren. The Pistons offered ~$180M for 5 years, but Duren is holding out for more or waiting for unrestricted free agency in 2027. The Kings have leverage because Duren's playoff performance was disappointing, and they have Sabonis trade rumors as leverage.
Damian Lillard/Sabonis Trade Rumors: Damian Sabonis changed agents to Aaron Mintz (who handled Trae Young and Walker Kessler trades), signaling a desire to be traded. The Kings are not interested in extending him yet, and a Sabonis-for-Duren sign-and-trade with Detroit is not happening because Detroit refuses sign-and-trade discussions.
International Basketball: Nikola Jokic (Serbia) and Victor Wembanyama (France) had intense matchups. Jokic averaged 37.3 PPG against Wembanyama in NBA playoffs; in international play, Jokic had 20/9/8 and 21/13/0 lines. Rui Hachimura (Japan) scored 29 and 30 points in recent games.
Notable quotes 5AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“They're adamant. They're not like negotiating with Steph Curry right now. They are saying, 'You can do this, you can do this, you can do this. If you want the one-year max, if you want the two-year max, if you want to wait, like here's your menu. Pick off your menu.'”
▶ 5:16Anthony Slater describing the Warriors' approach to Steph Curry's contract extension.
“If Steph waits, he can sign a three-year deal... And the reason that's interesting is that if they do that, they could guarantee him a certain amount of money, but stretch it out one more year and potentially give more cap space.”
Explaining the financial benefit of Curry waiting to sign his extension.
“It's a worst case scenario for the Pistons because then you're not even really getting Jaylen Green this season. You're getting this version of him that is constantly thinking about his next contract.”
Discussing the risk of the Pistons failing to sign Jaylen Green before the season starts.
“The whole game now is space to the apron. You know if you space to the apron you can make trades happen. If you don't have space for the apron you have handcuffs.”
▶ 34:24Explaining why the Pistons cannot use incentives in Jaylen Green's contract.
“Jokic gets the ball in the post, turns, and just slams into Victor... Moves him back... Jokic squares and shoots it... Victor flies backwards... Jokic gets his fingertip on the shot... Joic gets the ball back... shoots again. Victor gets his fingertip on the shot again... brute force versus height.”
▶ 50:06Describing a specific physical play between Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama during an international game.
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