The Golden State Warriors inevitably turned into a super team with their win over the Kevin Durant free agency - an achievement that uprooted the 2014 NBA MVP from the clutches of Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder and into the locker room with Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. However, this move fueled Stephen Curry trade rumors especially in light of the 2017 free agency. Will the Dub Nation lose their leader to the San Antonio Spurs next year?
The Kawhi Leonard team is one of the strongest title contenders in the NBA today. While the roster is filled with All-Star players, the San Antonio Spurs have made it clear that the LaMarcus Aldridge squad has no clear leader. That is, the Tony Parker group values everyone equally. With this in mind, fans are quick to note that such is not the same situation in the Golden State Warriors roster.
The entry of Kevin Durant to the Andre Iguodala squad prompted questions on who will be the leader of the NBA team. Throughout the years, Stephen Curry has been hailed as the head of the group with Draymond Green and Klay Thompson as his support system. However, the former Oklahoma City Thunder had been used to leading teams even with the dominant personality of Russell Westbrook. Hence, rumors are rife that Stephen Curry is having second thoughts re-signing with the Golden State Warriors in the 2017 free agency.
While the move to sign Kevin Durant instilled fear in other NBA squads as the Golden State Warriors now becomes virtually unbeatable, the same decision also provided hope for the rest of the league. This free agency success of the Klay Thompson team is said to have opened doors for the rest of the basketball teams to lure Stephen Curry out of the group. Among the NBA squads interested in a Stephen Curry contract in 2017 are the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. However, the 2016 NBA MVP is said to be most interested in a certain Western Conference title contender - the San Antonio Spurs.
"I think the [San Antonio] Spurs are looking at the fact that Kevin Durant came into Golden State and that Kevin Durant may take up some of the superstar space that was previously occupied by Steph Curry, and when Steph Curry becomes a free agent, I think they are going to go hard at Steph Curry," revealed Ric Bucher in the SiriusXM NBA Radio interview. The Bleacher Report analyst added, "I think they're going to look at Steph and say 'they brought in a replacement for you.'"
The San Antonio Spurs, which have the most steadfast and consistent fanbase, is said to be the ideal landing spot for a Stephen Curry contract come 2017 free agency. With a support cast in Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge, the fans of the Golden State Warriors star could once again push their idol in the spotlight. Unlike the followers of the likes of Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Russell Westbrook, the San Antonio Spurs fans are less showy. This could be an appealing factor to the Stephen Curry fanbase.
At the moment, the NBA rumors involving the Stephen Curry contract remain as hearsays. However, the San Antonio Spurs are said to be clearing their roster and pulling strings to make sure that they are an attractive destination for the Golden State Warriors star.
What do you think? Should Stephen Curry leave the Golden State Warriors and sign with the San Antonio Spurs to keep his status in the league? Or should he stick it out with Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green?