Stephen Curry, entering his 17th NBA season, remains one of the league’s top performers but has started to contemplate the eventual end of his storied career. Speaking recently on the ‘360 With Speedy’ show, the four-time NBA champion openly discussed his thoughts on retirement, longevity, and the motivation needed to sustain elite play. While Curry made it clear that retirement is not imminent, he shared how he approaches his career in focused two-year segments to maintain mindset and drive.
Stephen Curry Breaks Down His Approach to Career Longevity
At 37 years old, Curry’s career accomplishments are historic: four NBA championships, two MVP awards, two scoring titles, and eleven All-Star selections mark him as one of the game’s all-time greats. Despite having cemented his legacy, the Warriors superstar acknowledges the physical and mental demands intensify with age, especially during the offseason. Curry explained that while the regular season games are thrilling and engaging, the true difficulty lies in navigating the repetitive grind of offseason training and preparation.
I’m kind of taking it in two-year chunks,
Curry told Speedy Morman.
Just to know, you have to give yourself something and some motivation to kind of go after it. I talked to all the guys who got into this situation where they’ve extended their prime, and there are more ungraceful endings than there are ‘I tip the cap’ type of thing.
—Stephen Curry, NBA Guard
The offseason, for me, is the hardest because once you get into the 82 games, it’s repetition, you know what you need to do in practice in the off days,
he continued.
You love playing, and the games are most fun… like, you get lost in the game, that’s the easy part. So if I can get through the offseasons, I feel like that’s a good marker for how long I can push it.
—Stephen Curry, NBA Guard
Maintaining Passion and Setting Realistic Goals
Curry’s passion for basketball has been unwavering since his arrival in the league in 2009, fueling his relentless work ethic and pursuit of excellence. His focus now is about making the most of every opportunity left in his playing years, while preserving health and motivation. He shared his desire to eventually retire on his own terms, after giving his all to the sport he loves.
I just want to be in a position where I can say I’ve done everything I can to get everything out of this game,
Curry said.
Hopefully, I have my health and the choice to say ‘I’m hanging it up and I’m good.’ But I’m nowhere close to that, though.
—Stephen Curry, NBA Guard
Golden State Warriors’ Commitment to Championship Contention
Even with Curry continuing to perform at a high standard—averaging 24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game last season—the Warriors are focused on reinforcing their roster. Team General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. is tasked with building around Curry, alongside cornerstone players Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler. After finishing seventh in the Western Conference with a 48-34 record in the 2024-25 campaign, the Warriors aim to improve their standing and contend strongly in the upcoming season.
A Career Still Fueled by Determination and Measured Focus
Stephen Curry’s strategy of dividing his career into manageable phases helps him stay motivated and realistic about his future in the NBA. He is not rushing toward retirement but pacing himself based on how well he can endure the demanding offseasons. As long as his body and passion endure, Curry plans to continue competing and chasing meaningful moments on the court, prepared to exit only when the time feels right to him.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why does Stephen Curry wear 4?
A. FIBA, which manages basketball in the Olympics, previously limited player numbers to 4-15 for easier identification by officials. This rule was removed in 2014. However, Team USA continues to use this numbering tradition in international competitions, like the Paris Olympics. That’s the reason Curry wore the No.