SAN FRANCISCO — Stephen Curry used the word “relevant” twice in his 10-minute media day session with reporters Monday morning, delivering a glimpse into his realistic approach to the Golden State Warriors’ upcoming season. He didn’t declare a return to the playoffs or a far-fetched title run. It begins with a climb back to relevance.
“I think we’re in a position where we can be a relevant team early and give ourselves a chance to compete,” Curry said. “Then assess where we are.”
The Warriors tried and failed to get Paul George in late June. Curry, as he confirmed, was on the inside of those conversations, attempting to convince George to come to the Warriors. His recruitment didn’t ultimately matter because the Clippers boxed the Warriors out of the conversations.
The front office turned its attention to Lauri Markkanen, but, while tantalizing, those trade talks never neared the finish line. Markkanen extended in Utah. Curry clearly wanted a more proven second scorer next to him this season. He enters training camp without one. Better than the public, he understands why these deals didn’t get done and what other trade options the Warriors declined.
“When something’s material, I usually know about it,” Curry said. “I’m not the ultimate decision-maker, but you give your input.”
One of Curry’s greater qualities is his optimism. Within his answers, it was easy to hear him convincing himself that their current mix can surprise people. He approved of free-agent additions Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson and De’Anthony Melton, who has always defended him well.
“All three guys we brought in all are veterans,” Curry said. “Established veterans that know how to play the game. Good pieces that you need to be a championship-type team. Does that mean we’re there? I don’t know.”
Curry added a third season to his current deal this summer. It was ultimately a financial decision, locking in an extra guaranteed $62.6 million when he’s 38. But it was attached to a presumed statement that he was comfortable with the direction of the franchise. He did say on Monday that part of his thought process was to eliminate his contract as a “distraction” or “talking point” in the immediate.
But what’s also clear: Curry has been assured by the front office and ownership that they will maintain a commitment to winning while he is still around, showing a willingness to use draft picks or young players should the right trade come along.
“It always has been and still is a goal of mine to be a Warrior for life, to stay competitive throughout that process,” Curry said. “I’m very confident in the fact of being here and being a relevant winning team is possible. Until I’m proven otherwise, that’s the way I’m moving forward.”
Curry’s other most notable sound bite came when he volunteered this unprompted: “I’m coming into this training camp with an open mind of how we’re supposed to play. I know there’s a Warrior mentality and culture of how we do things, there’s a system that we’ve run for a decade-plus that has worked. It doesn’t necessarily mean that’s how this team needs to play. We have to have antennas up and an openness to accept what this team’s strengths are, what our weaknesses are and kind of lean into those.”
That means, according to Curry, he’s willing to toggle with his comfortable rotation pattern, and they need to be more willing to feature their younger players and even change up schemes and strategies to better fit players like Jonathan Kuminga.
Draymond Green on the state of the Warriors
Here is Draymond Green on the Warriors’ failure to make a big splash this summer and the front office’s more cautious approach.
Where Kuminga contract talks stand
Kuminga’s extension negotiations will be a persistent topic until the Oct. 21 deadline. The two sides are still apart on a potential contract. Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy said he’s comfortable if it gets rolled into restricted free agency next summer. Kuminga is also downplaying the urgency.
“Hopefully (it gets done),” Kuminga said. “Only God knows. I don’t know what’s going to happen. That’s not my concern. I’m just happy to be here, happy to start a new season. Fourth year. I’d love to have it, but I’m not really concerned about it. If I get it, if I don’t, it’s cool. I’m still going to be me. I’ll just go out there and perform.”
Wiggins in shape
This was the Warriors’ first media day in more than a decade without Klay Thompson. Without him, they need to find a new second-leading scorer behind Curry. If he blossoms, Kuminga seems like a prime candidate. Of the veterans, Andrew Wiggins is the most proven.
The Warriors don’t need Wiggins to stretch back into a high-volume, low-efficiency 20-point per game scorer like in his Minnesota days. But they do need him to rediscover the 17-point per game efficient secondary option he developed into early in his Warriors’ tenure.
Last season, amidst a deep slump, he dropped to a career-low 13.2 points per game. He arrives at camp this October in better shape than a season ago. and both Steve Kerr and Dunleavy said he appears focused and motivated. Wiggins didn’t reveal much in his low-key Monday interview, but acknowledged he must score more.
“More than I did last year for sure,” Wiggins said.
Was the deep slump due to a lack of usage, a lack of aggression, a lack of luck, a lack or rhythm?
“All of the above,” he said.
Kerr said the Warriors will feature Wiggins more to open this season. Wiggins said he wants to get downhill more and attempt more 3s.
Gary Payton II’s status
Before anyone could ask Gary Payton II a question, he grabbed the microphone and preemptively answered a talking point he knew was coming his direction.
“Yes,” Payton said. “I plan on being available this year. So, let’s go ahead and get that out of the way now. Feeling good. Healthy. Body is feeling great. No hiccups this summer. No nothing. Ready to go.”
Payton has been limited to 22 and 44 games the last two seasons, dealing with abdominal surgery, stunted rehabs and setbacks from it, a torn calf and a few other ailments.
Melton’s health
The Warriors’ newest defensive ace, De’Anthony Melton, also dealt with a tricky season physically. He was limited to 38 games for the Philadelphia 76ers because of a back injury that was difficult to diagnose and lingered.
Melton finally got it feeling right near the end of Philadelphia’s playoff run and said he’s been in San Francisco working out Monday through Friday most of the summer, saying he enters camp healthy. He’s been scrimmaging the last month in the facility.
Hield and Anderson’s first days
Here are a couple other soundbites from the Warriors’ other two free-agent additions.
