Jayson Tatum and Stephen Curry.

progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – The Golden State Warriors are no longer a team with championship potential. This is a bitter pill to swallow, but it reflects the team’s current reality.

Given this situation, rumors have surfaced that the Golden State Warriors might consider trading Stephen Curry, the greatest player in the franchise’s history.

At 38 years old and stuck on a team with no clear future, it might be time for both the player and the organization to part ways after 17 successful seasons together—a run that included winning four NBA championships in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022.

That 2022 title was secured when the Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics in six games to win the NBA Finals.

Four years later, could Stephen Curry switch teams and join the Boston Celtics to partner with Boston superstar Jayson Tatum? It is certainly a possibility.

Jayson Tatum and Stephen Curry.

The biggest obstacle to a Stephen Curry trade to the Boston Celtics is the salary cap Stephen Curry’s $`62,6 million salary for the upcoming season makes matching contracts difficult.

Had the Boston Celtics not traded for Paul George (from the Philadelphia 76ers), a trade might have been easier to execute, as Jaylen Brown could have served as the centerpiece of a deal for Curry. However, the Paul George factor complicates matters, as the Golden State Warriors might not want to acquire him. Yet, they might be forced to do so, given that George’s `$54,1 million salary could be balanced against Curry’s.

The only current issue stems from NBA salary cap rules. Paul George cannot be included in a trade for 60 days, meaning September 6 is the earliest date he could be traded to the Golden State Warriors. However, if the Golden State Warriors can wait until then, Paul George would likely be part of the deal for Stephen Curry.

In addition to Paul George, under our hypothetical trade, the Boston Celtics would also send Payton Pritchard—along with his $7,8 million salary—to the Golden State Warriors. This move would bring the Celtics closer to matching Stephen Curry’s salary. Furthermore, the Celtics would need to send draft picks to the Golden State Warriors as part of the deal, which would entail Curry signing a two-year maximum contract extension with Boston to finish his career with the franchise.

With Stephen Curry and Jayson Tatum joining forces, the Boston Celtics would stand a much better chance of competing in the Eastern Conference against powerhouses like the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks. Consequently, this is a move the Boston Celtics should seriously consider if they aim to remain top contenders for the NBA Championship in 2027. (Bembo)