Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry has become the first player in NBA history to surpass $600 million in career on-court earnings after agreeing to a two-year, $116 million contract extension with the only franchise he has ever known.
The deal, reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania and confirmed by the Warriors on Friday, September 25, 2026, includes a player option for the 2028-29 season and pushes Curry’s projected career earnings to approximately $652 million.
A Record Built on Unselfishness
What makes the milestone particularly remarkable is that Curry reached it by taking less money than he could have commanded. The 38-year-old was eligible for a two-year extension worth up to $136.7 million but agreed to $116 million—leaving roughly $20 million on the table to give the Warriors additional salary cap flexibility . The move reflects Curry’s stated priority of competing for another championship rather than maximizing his earnings. “Yes, I was presented the max,” Curry said at media day. “It was a very thoughtful journey, partnership of putting all the different scenarios out there. It was of interest of making sure I was here, figuring out what was in the best setup for me, for the team, for the now, for the flexibility the rest of my career”
From $44 Million to $652 Million
The journey to this historic figure began humbly. After being selected seventh overall in the 2009 NBA Draft, Curry’s early career was hampered by ankle injuries, leading to a four-year, $44 million extension in 2012 that became one of the most team-friendly contracts in NBA history . That deal allowed the Warriors to build a dynasty, winning two championships with Curry on a bargain salary before he signed a five-year, $201.2 million supermax in 2017—becoming the first NBA player to sign a deal worth over $200 million . A subsequent four-year, $215 million extension followed, making him the first player to sign two contracts exceeding $200 million.
How He Compares to LeBron and Durant
Curry’s $652 million career total places him ahead of LeBron James (approximately $592 million) and Kevin Durant (approximately $598 million), the only other players near the $600 million threshold . Curry’s current salary for the 2026-27 season stands at $62.6 million, making him the highest-paid player in the league for the ninth consecutive season . His new extension will carry a cap figure of $55.7 million for the 2027-28 season.
What Comes Next
With the extension, Curry is locked in with Golden State through at least the 2027-28 season and holds the option to play through 2028-29—his 20th NBA season, should he choose to exercise it . Curry has been candid about the physical challenges of entering his 18th season, particularly managing a right knee injury that limited him to just 43 games last year. “Last year was pretty drastic,” Curry said after the Warriors’ first training camp practice. “This year, knowing what it is, taking advantage of the summer, having a very detailed plan to build my body, the foundation, give my knee a rest and still be prepared for training camp, that was the biggest win I’ve felt so far”.
As Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. put it: “We found a middle ground where he was incredibly generous in taking this deal… He’s put us in a position where it gives us a little bit more flexibility to do that” .