How Many Championship Rings Will Stephen Curry Finish With When He Retires?
As of August 2023, Stephen Curry has won four NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors, capturing rings in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022. Speculating about how many championship rings he will finish with when he retires involves a blend of future speculation, team performance, and Curry's health and longevity. Admittedly, my perspective is unique, but I would be unsurprised if he wins just one more championship and judges the 2022 title as potentially his last.
The Current Picture
At the time of my speculation, Curry was 30 years old, having secured his third championship ring in June 2018. Assuming the Warriors retain key players like Kevin Durant, they are almost certain to be competitive in 2019 with minimal roster changes. However, the challenges of keeping the roster together as younger players leave and salaries rise loom in 2020, especially in 2021. By 2023, Curry will be 35, an age when most guards experience a significant decline in effectiveness. After 2023, Curry's contract status becomes uncertain, with the possibility of playing for the minimum salary if he chooses to chase more rings.
Projections and Speculation
Assuming Curry's game ages well and he plays until he is 40, his ring projection ranges from 12 to 3. However, making a decision on his retirement and future is even more complex. If Curry decides to retire around the age of 36-37, the Warriors are unlikely to win more than 2 more championships in the following four years due to a lack of depth and high player salaries. By 2028, key veterans like Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala will have retired, further diminishing the team's championship prospects. Under these conditions, Curry's total championship rings would likely be around 5, retiring as a Warrior rather than being a ring chaser.
Conclusion
The number of championship rings Stephen Curry finishes with when he retires remains highly speculative and dependent on numerous factors. While the future is uncertain, it seems prudent to expect that Curry will close his career with about 5 rings, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. The fate of the Golden State Warriors and Curry's individual performance will determine whether this projection holds true.