The notion that the Golden State Warriors would consider offering Stephen Curry less than a max contract after a stretch where the two-time Most Valuable Player was criminally underpaid seems far-fetched.
That idea apparently crossed the mind of team owner Joe Lacob ahead of the team's playoff run to an eventual second championship in three years, though, wrote The Athletic's Marcus Thompson in his book, "Golden."
Apparently what kept Lacob from putting such an offer on the table was general manager Bob Myers, who also had to reassure Curry that the Warriors were committed to keeping him happy as a result.
Golden State wound up giving Curry what was then the largest contract in NBA history at a staggering $201 million over five years, keeping him locked in through the 2021-22 campaign. His prior rookie-scale extension was for four years and $44 million.
In the final year of his new deal alone, Curry will make roughly $45.8 million.
While he was reportedly aware that management had been considering low-balling him, Curry wouldn't make it an issue until the negotiations were underway and he had the numbers in front of him, as he didn't want to be a distraction during the postseason.
Kevin Durant wound up staying in The Bay Area for under the max on a one-plus-one contract, choosing to do so as a means to help the team re-sign several core pieces, including Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston.
Curry's numbers dipped slightly during the 2016-17 campaign with Durant in the fold, averaging 25.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.8 steals, while shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from behind the arc. He also ranks sixth in franchise history in points, third in assists, second in steals, and is 10th in league history in made 3-pointers.
- With h/t to CBS Sports