Does Stephen Curry Deserve a Multi-Year Deal?

If this question was asked after Stephen Curry’s rookie season, the answer would be a definitive yes. But now, as he is battling injury, the Warriors are faced with a decision to make.

It all started when Curry was drafted seventh overall in the 2009 NBA Draft, who some people, including myself, consider to be a steal. Some of the players picked above him include: Hasheem Thabeet (2nd pick) and Johnny Flynn (6th pick), who have yet to show any sign of hope for any NBA teams. The draft was obviously spearheaded with power forward Blake Griffin, who went number one overall to the Clippers, but the Warriors were happy with what they got.

Curry went on to play phenomenally his rookie season. He averaged over 17 PPG, dished out about six assists a game, and shot 44% from downtown, while also shooting 89% from the line. He also recorded a triple double against the Los Angeles Clippers, in a game where he absolutely went off for 36 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds. Steph became only the sixth rookie in NBA history to post a 35-point, 10-assist, 10-rebound game; joining the club with Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Jason Kidd. That’s a pretty impressive group of players to be joined with, if you ask me. The summer following his rookie season, Stephen played for USA basketball and won gold at the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Turkey.

His sophomore season was just as impressive, as he played in 74 games and started in all of them. He averaged 19 points per game, to go along with six assists and four rebounds. He also led the league in free throw shooting at 93%.

But the downhill started for Curry in his third season. After dealing with ankle injury time and time again, he ended up only playing 26 games in the lockout-shortened 66-game season. His free throw percentage plummeted, as he only shot 81%, and he scored less than 15 points per game.

And the sad thing is, Steph tried everything. Whether it was going back home to North Carolina to see different specialists, or trying on a custom fit shoe that was supposed to prevent further injury, he couldn’t escape it.

But now, heading into his fourth season, he is optimistic. The team has reported that he should be at full strength for training camp, which starts in 12 days. He surely doesn’t want to give up his starting job to newly acquired PG Jarrett Jack, who is a proven veteran in the NBA. But with all of Steph’s ankle issues and inability to stay healthy last year, should the Warriors sign him to a new multi-year contract?

I believe  so. The guy gave the Warriors organization two great years in which he truly showed his potential. We know what he’s capable of doing, and with a full offseason to recover, many believe he will be ready to go for the promising 2012-2013 NBA season. Also, I think the Warriors should offer him this deal soon, because the last thing the Warriors want is to anger Stephen, and have him play well and then lose him in next year’s offseason, when he becomes a free agent. He’s worth the “risk” of re-injury, because his potential is through the roof, and one team is bound to give him the deal he seeks, if Golden State doesn’t give it to him. With the Warriors’ revamped roster, and a healthy Stephen Curry, the sky is the limit, as he will finally have a strong core of a team to distribute the ball to and help fluctuate.