What happened: Rick Welts said he regularly reminded Joe Lacob and Peter Guber that they inherited Steph Curry when they bought the Golden State Warriors. Welts recalled that Curry was then a skinny guard with troublesome ankles before becoming one of basketball's all-time greats.
Why it matters: Welts' assessment separates ownership's decisions from the foundational advantage Curry provided. It carries renewed weight after Golden State finished 37-45 and lost in the play-in.
By the numbers: Welts spent 10 seasons as Golden State's president and chief operating officer. The Warriors reached five consecutive NBA Finals and won three championships during that tenure.
What to watch: Golden State's 2026-27 roster decisions will test how ownership plans to navigate the franchise's next phase around Curry.