Editor's note: The above video is from April 9, 2016.
OAKLAND -- With 24.9 seconds remaining Wednesday night, Stephen Curry crossed over then stepped back for a 25-footer to ice the Golden State Warriors' 125-121 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. He salted the game away at the line, knocking down four straight free throws to send the Blazers home for the summer.
Curry spoke with media after the game and then took the long walk back to the family lounge where his brother Seth was waiting for him in the hallway.
It’s always about Steph, even when it’s not. That seems to be the theme of being Seth Curry -- except in Sacramento.
Seth became a late-season phenomenon with the Kings. Initially the 25-year-old guard found it difficult to break George Karl’s rotation, but when he got his opportunity, he took full advantage.
In the final seven games of the season, Curry averaged 16.4 points and 5.3 assists in 32.5 minutes per game. He knocked down 48.9 percent of his shots over that stretch and with every make, you could see dollar sign emojis forming over his head.
“I’m curious as to what will happen this summer, I think I’ve obviously shown that I can help a team win and be consistent player in the NBA,” Curry said.
Curry signed a two-year league minimum deal with the Kings last summer, but Year 2 was a player option -- an option that he decided to decline.
“I opted out two or three weeks ago,” Curry said. “I’m a free agent now.”
[NEWS: Seth Curry declines $1M player option with Kings]
Due to the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, the Kings have the option to match an offer sheet given to Curry from another team. The third-year guard will likely find plenty of suitors for his services, but at what cost?
He hasn’t closed the book on returning to the Kings, in fact, he would welcome it.
“Absolutely,” Curry said when asked if Sacramento is still an option in free agency. “It’s a big option. Like I said, I liked my time in Sacramento. I like the community, I like what the organization is trying to do and I think they’re going in the right direction. But you never know what’s going to happen in free agency.”
“I like what Vlade (Divac) is trying to do,” Curry added. “I have the utmost respect for Vlade and for him giving me the opportunity and believing in me when a lot of people didn’t.”
For now, it’s back to the grind for Curry. His first real taste in the NBA gave him plenty to chew on. He has every intention of improving and it starts during this offseason.
“I’m looking forward to the summer and only getting better and coming back as a better player,” Curry said.
Where Curry ranks on the list of priorities with the Kings is unknown at this time. They will likely see how the market bears out for his services and make a decision once he has an offer sheet in hand. With the NBA’s salary cap expected to jump to $92 million, every team in the league will have plenty to spend.
If a team jumps out with a substantial deal, the Kings will have a tough decision to make. In the meantime, Curry will sit back watching his big brother dice up the rest of the NBA like the rest of us.
