As the depths of the offseason slowly engulf the NBA world, these are the types of conversations to expect. Complete speculation spiraling into a whirlwind of social-media rumors and unfounded high hopes. That is what has led to the Stephen Curry-to-the-Boston Celtics rumors.
AI images of Curry and Jayson Tatum in Celtics uniforms facing off against LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and the Philadelphia have taken over the timeline. They've supplanted any reasonable conversation topics. Why? Because people are looking for excitement.
Let's connect some dots for a moment. Even if just for a brief second, let's throw a couple of pieces of charcoal onto the fire. If for no other reason than to assess the actual legitimacy of the Curry-to-Boston idea.
During a recent episode of his podcast, Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard stated that Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob wants to focus on the post-Curry era. He wants to build a Warriors team for when Curry is gone.
"What Lacob wants to do, and this might get Warriors' fans mad, but he wants to build the next team after Steph Curry," Kawakami said. "I don't know how possible that is, but Lacob has a very keen interest in 'This organization is going to show what it can do with Steph Curry and then after Steph Curry.' I don't think it's going to be as good myself, but that's what he wants to do."
Shams Charania of ESPN stated that he hasn't gotten the sense that Curry wants to leave Golden State. That said, he added that the team is at a "crossroads." The Warriors aren't really headed in any specific direction right now.
Then, there's the contract situation. Curry is on an expiring deal. However, Charania mentioned that the Warriors will give Curry an extension if he wants one. But here's where things get interesting.
On Tuesday, it was reported that the Warriors had brought back Draymond Green on a one-year, $27.7 million deal. One year. That means, in theory, the Warriors could be off Curry, Green, and Jimmy Butler's money by next summer, giving them a clear path forward to rebuild.
If that's the direction the Warriors want to go in -- if they truly want to reset -- then technically, there's a world in which Boston has a chance to land Curry. A small chance, but a chance nonetheless.
The Celtics could send Paul George's contract (which would be an expiring deal by next summer) and some first-round picks to the Warriors in exchange for Curry. Curry, who would be 39 years old at that point.
Despite his age, if Curry still proved to be an All-NBA-level guy by that point (he still is right now), then a deal could be worth it. The combination of Curry, Tatum, and the Celtics' depth would be enough to compete with anyone in the East.
Now, let's take a step back. Step away from the evidence board. Take a look at all the strings clinging to all the potential pieces of evidence. Look at how many things would have to go perfectly right in order for the Celtics to actually trade for Curry.
One: The Warriors would have to not extend him, or Curry would have to request a trade. Two: Warriors ownership would actually want to focus on the post-Curry era instead of competing. Three: The Celtics would have to be willing to send out draft picks for a 39-year-old. Four: Curry would have to be interested in the Celtics, because the Warriors are going to do right by him. Five: Boston would have to beat out every other package sent the Warriors' way.
All that. Every single one of those instances would have to fall in the Celtics' favor. Impossible? No. Likely? Absolutely not. The post-Brown-trade world has been a tough one, especially with how the rest of the East has unfolded, but Curry's not an answer. And he's certainly not an answer that would come to the rescue anytime soon.
That said, the George contract is certainly an interesting piece to consider. In an article earlier this summer, I went over some immediate trade ideas the Celtics could consider. At this point, though, it seems like he'll be on the roster to begin next season.
But that begs the question: What about next summer? All of this Curry speculation is only possible because Boston will have the George contract to use as matching salary in a trade. Curry seems like the type of guy who will want to stay loyal, though, so what other options could be out there?
The problem with that question is that it's impossible to know for sure. A lot of things can happen in a year's time. At this time last year, if someone told you that Brown would be a 76er, LaMelo Ball would be on the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Kawhi Leonard would be back in Toronto, you would have called them crazy. But that's now reality.
Still, the summer is the time for predicting and projecting. So, later this week, I'll have an article taking a look at potential options for the Celtics that would utilize the George contract to add more talent next summer.
I've seen some commenters asking about possibilities, so this Curry conversation can be used as a launching point. Though the chance of him coming to Boston next summer seems small, that doesn't mean the Celtics can't make a big-time move.
Curry is a Warriors through and through. If they fail to build around him and he has the urge to go out and chase a fifth ring, perhaps a trade happens. But based on his loyalty to Golden State up to this point, that feels unlikely.
The Curry-to-Boston conversation seems like nothing more than offseason rambling for the sake of entertainment. Possible and probable live in two very different worlds. And that's definitely the case here.