Warriors Cut Ties With 3 Players After Stephen Curry Accepts Reality of Basketball Business

As the Kuminga stalemate continues, the Payton and Melton have committed to signing extensions. But the finalizations of their contracts is still dependent on resolving Jonathan Kuminga’s deal. Meanwhile, the Warriors finally closed in on Al Horford for a multi-year deal.

Given the cap space, three players whose contracts need to be finalized, and the indecision on one player holding the offseason hostage, the front office is obviously now making snap decisions where they can. And these three players were it. Stephen Curry doesn’t really fault them. And he may be exhausted by the situation with his younger teammate too.

Stephen Curry has adjusted to these changes

Ja’Vier Francis, 21 was a standout in the Big 12 Conference as a remarkable shot blocker. Chance McMillian, 24, is a Texas Tech player. Jacksen Moni is a forward from North Dakota. There’s almost no information about them entering the NBA draft and when. Between their signing and waiving, the Warriors hosted media day headlined by the team’s veterans.

It was fateful that the reporters asked Stephen Curry how he deals with the circulation of teammates now that he’s entering year 17. “What happens when I leave this microphone and we go in the locker room and us players talk? Like, that’s going to be the make or break of how we kind of move into the year with the right frame of mind,” Curry said, acknowledging that losing and gaining teammates is a huge adaptation. At this point, he’s used to it.

“So, good news is you’ve been around long enough. We’ve—me, Draymond, Jimmy—we’ve all been around long enough to know how to separate the business of it to the basketball of it. And those are two totally different areas. So, our job is to focus on the basketball part and not let it become something that, you know, gets in the way of how we approach every day.”

Curry. Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler – even Al Horford probably – won’t dwell too much on the three players who got waived within hours. But they are affected by Kuminga’s drama.

So when Kuminga’s agent called the Warriors’ offer ‘unfair,’ Curry had to respond. “I only listen to my teammate,” he said right after claiming he doesn’t listen to agents. He had a heart-to-heart with Kuminga and assured that when he’s back he’ll be locked in no matter the circumstances.

It’s clearly a lesson he’s learned adjusting to the NBA business. Kuminga’s still getting there.