Look, we all knew this day would come, but seeing it written out in a contract makes it hit different.
Stephen Curry is 37. Honestly, in NBA years, that’s basically ancient for a guy who runs four miles a game through a maze of screens. But if you’re looking for a "Stephen Curry retirement update" that involves him hanging up the Under Armours this weekend, you’re going to be disappointed. He’s not going anywhere just yet. In fact, he just suited up against the New York Knicks on January 15, 2026, looking every bit like the guy who broke the league a decade ago.
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The reality is more nuanced than a simple "yes" or "no." It’s about a ticking clock that everyone in the Golden State Warriors front office can hear in their sleep.
The Contract That Defines the Timeline
The most concrete piece of the puzzle is the one-year, $62.6 million extension Steph signed back in late 2024. That deal effectively locks him into a Warriors jersey through the 2026-27 season.
He’s currently making about $59.6 million for this 2025-26 stretch. Next year, that number jumps to nearly $63 million. That’s a lot of dough for a 39-year-old, but considering he’s still dropping 28.8 points per game this season, Joe Lacob probably thinks it’s a bargain.
Steph has been pretty vocal about his "basketball mortality" lately. He recently told Vince Carter on NBC that he’s taking things in "two-year chunks." It’s a pragmatic way to look at it. He isn’t chasing a farewell tour like Kobe or Jeter—at least not yet. He’s evaluating his legs and his lungs every summer.
Right now, the "two-year window" is the gospel in the Bay Area. The Warriors have gone all-in, surrounding Steph with a veteran core including Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler to squeeze one last drop of championship glory out of this era.
What the Stats Say About His Exit
Usually, when players hit their late 30s, you see the "cliff." The first step goes. The jumper gets flat.
Steph? Not really.
In the first half of this 2025-26 season, he’s still shooting 47% from the field and hovering right around 39% from deep. He’s leading the league in free throw percentage at a ridiculous 92.9%. If he were washed, we’d see it in the efficiency. Instead, his usage rate is still in the 98th percentile of the league. He’s still the engine.
| Metric | 2025-26 Season Avg | Career Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 28.8 | 24.8 |
| 3P% | 39.1% | 42.5% |
| FT% | 92.9% | 91.0% |
The only real sign of "aging" is how the Warriors manage his minutes. He isn't playing 40 minutes a night in January anymore. They’re saving the fuel for the postseason. This isn't a guy ready to quit; it’s a guy playing "smarter, not harder," though his "easy" is still better than 95% of the league’s "peak."
The Thirty Ink Empire and Life After the NBA
You can usually tell when a player is mentally checking out by looking at their LinkedIn. Okay, NBA players don’t use LinkedIn, but you get what I mean.
Steph is building a fortress in San Francisco. His business conglomerate, Thirty Ink, just moved into a massive 25,000-square-foot headquarters in the Dogpatch neighborhood. That’s not a "side hustle." That’s a career.
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He’s got his hands in:
- Unanimous Media: Producing documentaries and shows.
- Gentleman’s Cut Bourbon: His premium spirits brand.
- The Eight Rule: A new luxury bourbon bar he opened at the Westin St. Francis.
- Golf: He’s already talked about trying to qualify for the PGA Tour Champions once he hits 50.
He also recently hinted at wanting to join an NBA ownership group. He’s looking at Michael Jordan’s blueprint. He wants to be the guy in the suit, not just the guy in the jersey. When your business portfolio is worth hundreds of millions, the lure of a rainy Tuesday night game in Detroit starts to fade.
The "Ayesha Factor" and Family Life
We can't talk about a Stephen Curry retirement update without mentioning the home front. Ayesha Curry has been his rock, and as their kids get older, the pull of being a "full-time dad" becomes real.
Steph mentioned that being honored at Davidson recently, where they renamed a whole interchange after him, made him reflect on the journey. He’s accomplished everything. Four rings. Two MVPs. All-time three-point leader. Olympic Gold in Paris. What’s left to prove?
He’s admitted that the "urgency of the now" is what keeps him going. He knows the end is closer than the beginning. That realization actually seems to make him play better. It’s like he’s savoring every circus layup because he knows there’s a finite number of them left in his bag.
Is 2027 Really the End?
If I had to bet? Steph plays out this contract through 2027.
By then, he’ll be 39. LeBron has shown that you can play into your 40s, but Steph’s game requires a different kind of conditioning. He’s constantly moving, cutting, and sprinting.
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The most likely scenario is that he signs one-year "victory lap" deals after 2027 until his body says "enough." He’s already said he won't play for another franchise. He wants to be a "Warriors lifer," joining the ranks of Dirk, Kobe, and Duncan.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you’re a fan or even a sports memorabilia collector, this "retirement window" is your cue to pay attention.
- Watch the 2026-27 Season: This is currently the final year of his guaranteed contract. Expect ticket prices at Chase Center to skyrocket as people treat every game like it could be the last.
- Monitor the Business Moves: As Thirty Ink expands, it’s a signal that his focus is shifting. The more headquarters he builds, the closer he is to the boardroom.
- Appreciate the Efficiency: Don’t take a 30-point night for granted. We are witnessing the tail end of the greatest shooting peak in the history of the sport.
- Ownership Watch: Keep an eye on NBA expansion news (Seattle or Vegas). If Steph is going to be an owner, those are the prime spots where he might jump in post-retirement.
Basically, enjoy the show while the lights are still on. The curtain isn't falling tonight, but the stagehands are definitely starting to gather in the wings.