The Golden State Warriors have made a surprising but calculated move by waiving veteran guard Seth Curry, just weeks before the start of the 2025–26 NBA season. To the casual fan, this might seem like a strange decision — why would a team release one of the league’s most efficient shooters, especially when his last season proved he still has plenty left in the tank? But behind the scenes, this is less about basketball performance and more about financial precision and roster management.
This isn’t goodbye. It’s a pause.
The Warriors’ front office, known for operating right up against the financial boundaries of the NBA’s new second tax apron, had little choice but to trim their roster temporarily. Seth Curry, who had joined the Warriors earlier this month on an Exhibit 9 contract, became the procedural casualty of a salary cap puzzle that’s still being solved.
Understanding the Exhibit 9 Contract and the Cap Constraints
For fans unfamiliar with the inner workings of NBA contracts, an Exhibit 9 deal allows a player to join a team for training camp and the preseason without his salary counting against the cap until the regular season begins. It’s a common arrangement for veterans trying to secure a roster spot, especially on teams juggling luxury tax penalties and roster limits.
Curry’s Exhibit 9 contract was a low-risk, short-term bridge — a way for both sides to evaluate fit without immediate financial commitment. His release on October 18, 2025, wasn’t a reflection of his play but a direct consequence of the Warriors being hard-capped under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Teams at the second tax apron face severe restrictions, including limits on the number of players they can carry and the flexibility to sign replacements.
Simply put, the Warriors’ financial situation forced their hand. Keeping Curry right now would have pushed them beyond the allowable spending limits — something even a championship-contending franchise can’t afford to risk.
Why Seth Curry Still Fits Perfectly in Golden State
Seth Curry isn’t just another name on the roster. His shooting touch has long been among the best in the league. Last season with the Charlotte Hornets, he averaged 6.5 points per game while hitting an impressive 45.6% from three-point range. In a league where spacing and shooting are gold, that percentage is a treasure.
The Warriors have built their dynasty around precision shooting and off-ball movement the very elements that define Curry’s game. Seth’s calm presence and ability to stretch defenses could make him an ideal fit alongside Stephen Curry, not just for the family storyline but for the strategic advantage. Defenders who think they can help off Seth will quickly learn what every defender learned facing him in Dallas, Philadelphia, and Brooklyn leave him open, and he’ll punish you.
When he returns, expect Seth to play a crucial role as a bench scorer and floor spacer, giving the Warriors second-unit offense a much-needed boost. His return could also help balance rotations as the team integrates new faces and younger players into Steve Kerr’s motion-heavy system.
A Family Story Still Waiting to Be Written
The possibility of seeing both Curry brothers sharing the floor in Warriors uniforms is a storyline that basketball romantics have quietly wished for years. Seth’s brief preseason stint teased that dream, and his expected re-signing could make it real.
Imagine the Chase Center roaring as both Currys run a split-action play, defenders twisting helplessly between two of the purest shooters in NBA history. It’s not just nostalgia it’s basketball poetry. And the Warriors know that beyond the marketing magic, there’s genuine basketball value in having Seth on the roster. His efficiency, maturity, and familiarity with the Curry family ethos make him a perfect fit in the Warriors’ locker room culture.
Timing Is Everything
According to league insiders, Golden State plans to re-sign Seth Curry by mid-November, once they’ve created the necessary financial flexibility. That likely means waiting for non-guaranteed contracts to be waived or trade exceptions to open up space under the hard cap. It’s a waiting game, but one that both sides seem fully aligned on.
This isn’t a severed partnership it’s a delayed reunion. The Warriors front office has reportedly communicated their intent clearly: they want Curry back as soon as the numbers allow it.
What This Move Says About the Warriors’ Strategy
In the modern NBA, front offices must be as creative as coaches. The Warriors are no strangers to this balancing act. Between Stephen Curry’s supermax contract, Draymond Green’s extension, and Klay Thompson’s potential new deal, Golden State’s payroll is bursting at the seams. Every dollar counts. Every signing must serve a purpose.
Waiving Seth was painful but necessary a short-term sacrifice in service of a long-term plan. The Warriors have always valued chemistry, continuity, and shooting depth. Seth brings all three in abundance. His eventual return will likely coincide with a clearer roster picture and a stabilized salary sheet.
This decision also underscores the harsh realities of the NBA’s new financial era. Even established veterans are not immune to temporary roster maneuvers when the cap rules tighten. But those who understand the game within the game the chess match of salary slots and exceptions can see the logic beneath the surface.
Seth Curry’s Steady Career and Resilient Mindset
Throughout his career, Seth Curry has been the embodiment of persistence. Undrafted in 2013, he climbed his way through the G League, two-way contracts, and multiple team stints, building a reputation as one of the league’s most reliable shooters. Every time he’s been waived, traded, or overlooked, he’s answered with quiet efficiency and poise.
This situation with Golden State is no different. It’s another chapter in a career defined by resilience and precision. Seth understands the business. He’s been through this before and every time, he’s found his way back to a meaningful role.
For Warriors fans, his story mirrors the team’s ethos: adapt, adjust, and never lose faith in the process.
Looking Ahead
By the time mid-November arrives, expect the Warriors to welcome Seth Curry back into the fold. His shooting, experience, and family connection to the franchise make his return almost inevitable. And when that happens, Golden State will have one more weapon in their arsenal not just for nostalgia’s sake, but for the very real impact he can make in their pursuit of another deep playoff run.
Until then, his absence is more paperwork than parting. The court will wait, and so will the fans.
Conclusion
The Warriors’ decision to waive Seth Curry might look like a setback on paper, but in truth, it’s a strategic pause in a longer story. Once the financial smoke clears, he’ll likely be back in the blue and gold, ready to do what he does best space the floor, knock down threes, and bring quiet firepower to a team built on brilliance.
Basketball has always been a family affair for the Currys. This chapter, temporary as it may be, feels like the calm before another memorable season in Golden State.
