While the OKC Thunder enjoy Western Conference supremacy, the Golden State Warriors are currently enduring an extended period of mediocrity. They haven't reached the Conference Finals since their championship run in 2021-22, and they missed the playoffs entirely in two of the last three years.
But that didn't stop them from giving future Hall of Famer Steph Curry a two-year extension worth $116 million on Saturday. This means that the 38-year-old's salary will be "discounted" from $62.6 million in 2026-27 to $55.7 million the following year.
Having brought four championships to Golden State, Curry undoubtedly deserves every cent he's set to earn, but he is well past his prime, and his hefty paycheck adds an extra challenge to a Warriors team that has struggled to put sufficient talent around him.
Given that the Thunder seem to be in their own "prime years," Curry's situation is a healthy reminder of the price that must be paid when attempting to retain a player of such a high caliber.
Thunder have yet to experience the worst side effects of SGA's contract
Unlike Curry, the Thunder's franchise cornerstone, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is just entering his prime.
The 28-year-old has already won a championship and two consecutive league MVP awards during his tenure in Bricktown, and he eyes even more accolades in the coming years.
To this point, the Thunder have been able to give SGA an extremely talented supporting cast, much like Golden State did for Steph in the mid- to late-2010s, but that may change as soon as his supermax contract kicks in after this season.
The deal lasts all the way through 2030-31, assuming Shai picks up his player option, and in its final year, the superstar will be owed $76.4 million.
Like Steph Curry, Gilgeous-Alexander deserves every cent of his contract, but it may end up costing the Thunder opportunities to keep valuable players around long-term.
Thunder may owe SGA the same way Warriors currently owe Steph Curry
There is an argument to be made that few other cities have embraced an athlete like the Bay Area has with Curry. Since arriving in 2009, he has been the face of the organization, and he has been compensated appropriately for it.
The city has, in a way, paid its debts to the star by rewarding him with immense contracts well into his declining years.
In the twilight of his career, Shai could very well mean just as much to Oklahoma City. If the Thunder front office attempts to do the same, it may stunt the franchise's growth, hindering its chances of competing for a title in the future.
While the Warriors continue to drown in Steph Curry debt, the Thunder should heed the warning that, if they decide to follow the same path with their own star, they could face a similar fate in five to ten years.
Add us as a preferred source on Google