NBA Notes: Warriors, Stephen Curry, Kings, Zach LaVine, Suns

Warriors

Stephen Curry still wants the only NBA team he has known to remain the only NBA team he ever knows.

Appearing Thursday on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street,” Curry was asked whether LeBron James’ decision to test free agency made that path more appealing to him.

Not particularly.

“I’ve always stated that I want to be a lifer with Golden State,” Curry said, as Joey Akeley of NBA on SI relayed. “What we’ve built there, the fact that I get to run it back this year with Draymond [Green] and Coach [Steve] Kerr.

“All the contract stuff, this NBA thing from year-to-year is so crazy. Things change really fast. But I do know my interest and mission to stay in Golden State and be competitive is there, and the contract stuff will take care of itself.”

That sounds reassuring for the Warriors. It also removes some of the pressure Curry could apply publicly.

Golden State has generally resisted the sort of all-in trades that would require surrendering several future first-round picks. The franchise added Jimmy Butler in 2025, but injuries and an aging roster have left the Warriors outside the NBA’s top championship tier.

Curry turns 39 in March. Golden State’s front office must balance his remaining years against protecting the post-Curry future.

Curry keeps making that balancing act easier by remaining loyal. The question is whether the Warriors will reward that loyalty with a roster capable of another serious run.

Kings

Zach LaVine’s enormous contract could soon become considerably more valuable to the Kings simply by disappearing.

LaVine will make approximately $49 million on an expiring deal this season. Sacramento could explore trading him before the deadline, but matching that salary without accepting unwanted long-term money may be difficult.

That creates another possibility: Keep LaVine, let his contract expire and take the cap relief into the summer of 2027.

Will Zimmerle of NBA on SI examined that scenario, pointing to Sacramento’s reported interest in future free agents Jalen Duren and Jonathan Kuminga. Whether either player becomes attainable remains to be seen, but preserving financial flexibility would give general manager Scott Perry options.

There’s an immediate basketball issue, too. The rebuilding Kings need minutes for Darius Acuff Jr. and their other young players. LaVine, however, presumably needs a meaningful role to rebuild his value before free agency.

Sacramento could still find a trade during the season. If not, keeping LaVine through the deadline may be less about his long-term future with the Kings than the clean $49 million exit his contract provides.

Suns

The Suns have waived Jordan Schakel from his Exhibit 10 contract, Keith Smith of Spotrac reported, via Donnie Druin of NBA on SI.

Schakel is expected to join the Valley Suns, Phoenix’s G League affiliate. The 27-year-old wing previously played six NBA games for the Wizards and most recently competed professionally in Germany.

Schakel averaged 9.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists during his last G League season in 2024/25.