In a move no one saw coming, Stephen Curry, the face of the Golden State Warriors and arguably the greatest shooter in NBA history, has announced he is leaving the franchise after 16 seasons—and signing with the Charlotte Hornets.
Yes, you read that right.
At a packed media conference this morning, Curry—visibly emotional—broke the news that has already sent shockwaves across the basketball world.
“This has been the hardest decision of my life,” Curry said. “The Bay Area is my home. Dub Nation is my family. But I’ve always dreamed of finishing where it all began for me—back in North Carolina, back where my basketball journey started.”
The 37-year-old superstar, who redefined the modern game with his limitless range and dazzling ball-handling, will join the Hornets on a reported two-year, $60 million deal. Curry grew up in Charlotte and played college ball at Davidson, just 20 minutes outside the city.
The move comes after weeks of speculation about Curry’s future, with insiders suggesting he was growing increasingly frustrated with Golden State’s direction following back-to-back early playoff exits and internal uncertainty around aging stars and the next rebuild.
“I’m not chasing rings anymore,” Curry continued. “I’m chasing meaning. I want to help mentor the next generation and give back to the community that raised me.”
The Warriors organization released a brief statement shortly after the announcement:
> “Stephen Curry is and always will be a Warrior legend. Though we’re saddened to see him go, we respect his decision and thank him for everything he has given this franchise, this city, and the game of basketball.”
NBA Twitter immediately exploded, with reactions ranging from disbelief to heartfelt tributes. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski simply tweeted:
> “Woj Bomb: Stephen Curry to Charlotte. Full story incoming.”
Curry leaves Golden State as a four-time NBA Champion, two-time MVP, 10-time All-Star, and the league’s all-time three-point leader. His impact on and off the court in the Bay Area is impossible to overstate.
As for what comes next? The Hornets—once a rebuilding afterthought—now instantly become one of the most intriguing teams in the East. Pairing Curry with rising stars like LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller could change the franchise’s trajectory overnight.
But for Warriors fans, this is the end of an era. And it hurts.
