Recent NBA rumors have emerged that the San Antonio Spurs could target reigning league MVP Stephen Curry in next summer's free-agency if the impending partnership with Kevin Durant does not work as planned.
The 28-year-old Curry earned his second consecutive MVP award last season, the first-ever unanimous winner, after leading the Golden State Warriors to the all-time regular season wins record of 73, eclipsing what the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls squad did when they pulled off a 72-10 slate during that time.
However, the Warriors may have paid a big price for beating the record as they came up short in defending the title they won last year, losing in seven games to the same team they beat in the 2015 NBA Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Golden State actually led 3-1, but the Cavs did the almost impossible by coming back and winning three straight game en route to the championship.
Many analysts believe that Curry and his backcourt partner Klay Thompson was overused during the regular season that they were already drained both physically and mentally by the time the team reached the Finals.
It prompted the squad to lure in Durant, the 2014 NBA MVP, to join them this summer, which further raised expectations out of the Oakland ballclub.
Fansided reported, citing a podcast by Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher, that the Spurs may take advantage of the idea that Durant's coming to Golden State "has taken away some of the super-stardom away from" Curry, which could be persuade the latter to jump ship to another title contender.
The three-time NBA All-Star is entering the final year of his four-year, $44 million deal with the Warriors, which will make him an unrestricted free agent next summer. There are no indications as of yet that Golden State is planning on offering him a contract extension that will allow the team to steer clear of a free-agency battle involving Curry next year, though.
Chat Sports noted that Curry will be "due a massive pay raise from the $11 million he will make this year" especially after the huge increase in NBA teams' salary caps starting this year.
The report also said that the two-time All-NBA First Teamer will surely be offered a maximum salary contract by his would-be suitors, but that Curry never gave any suggestions that he is considering a move to another team any time in the near future.