Golden State Day 1: Steph Gets Paid
Perhaps the worst kept secret in NBA free agency came to pass around 30 seconds after the moratorium opened: Stephen Curry became the highest paid player in NBA history, signing a 5 year, 201 million dollar super-max extension with the Golden State Warriors.
In other news, the Warriors re-signed Shaun Livingston to a steal of a contract, and Andre Iguodala is taking meetings with seemingly half the teams in the NBA.
But first, and most importantly, $teph.
Stephen Curry Stats: 25.3 points (46.8 field goal percentage, 41 percent 3-point percentage, 89 percent free throw percentage), 6.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.8 steals
The Fit
After being the most woefully underpaid superstar in the NBA the past three seasons, Stephen Curry has finally got his mega-deal. Once he inks the 5 year, 201 million dollar extension, Curry will become the highest paid player in the NBA, until next year, anyway.
Curry has revolutionized the way basketball is played with the Golden State Warriors, having won 2 NBA titles in the last three years. He’s won 2 MVP’s in that time (the first ever unanimous MVP). He led the Warriors to the best regular season record in NBA history at 73–9, and has led his Warriors to 3 straight NBA Finals berths.
Despite the dazzling displays on the court, one of Curry’s biggest achievements came off the court, in his willingness to sacrifice personal accolades for the betterment of the team in acquiring fellow superstar Kevin Durant.
Curry has set the culture of selflessness that is at the core of why the Warriors are as dominant as they are. Besides, you know, having four of the best 15–20 players in the NBA.
Signing Grade: A+
Bottom Line: Steph Curry is one of the four best players in the NBA. Re-signing him for as long as possible is a huge win for the Golden State Warriors. It’s a huge win for Steph Curry.
Shaun Livingston agrees to 3 year, 24 million dollar deal with Golden State
The Fit
Livingston has been the back-up point guard to Stephen Curry for the last three seasons, or basically, since the beginning of when the Warriors began taking over the NBA. Livingston and his silky smooth, deadly efficient mid-range game has been an integral cog in the Golden State machine.
Signing Grade: A+
If you want proof of the selflessness that pervades through this organization, look no further than Shaun Livingston and this contract. Livingston sustained a devastating knee injury while he was still on his rookie-scale deal. Since sustaining that injury, he’s been waived four times, gutted his way through the D-League (after being a top lottery selection), and played on a 10 day contract for the minimum.
This contract was his best chance to make serious money. Livingston proved he was a capable starter during his stint with the Brooklyn Nets before coming over to Golden State. He’s arguably the best back-up point in the league right now, and fresh off another championship run, the time to cash out was right in front of him.
That third year, Livingston is only guaranteed 2 million dollars. Not only did he take a below market deal to stay with the champs, but he agreed to structure his contract to help maintain future flexibility for the team.
That’s a championship level sacrifice.
In Other News:
Andre Iguodala should take a page out of Livingston’s book. It’s understandable for him to test the market, however, as this is the last chance for him to score a huge contract, and as a member of the Death Star Lineup, Iguodala could cash in elsewhere on a deal Golden State would be loathe to match.
Iguodala is scheduled to take meetings with the Kings and the Spurs. The Lakers have also inquired about the versatile wing. Despite considerable outside interest, I would be surprised to see Andre move on from Golden State, unless of course, a significant offer (over 20 million dollars per year) is made.
I highly doubt San Antonio would (or could) make that offer. It also seems far fetched that he would leave the NBA champions and one of the best teams in NBA history to go ply his trade for Sacramento or the Lakers, who are both far from contention.
Finally, Kevin Durant will wait to re-sign with the Warriors so they can assemble the remainder of the roster before adding his salary to the books.
