When Stephen Curry did not rule out playing for the Hornets: "What would it be like to wear No. 30 in Charlotte like my pops?"

When Stephen Curry did not rule out playing for the Hornets: “What would it be like to wear No. 30 in Charlotte like my pops?” originally appeared on Basketball Network.

Arguably the greatest shooter to ever step on the hardwood, Stephen Curry, shares a special connection with Charlotte. The two-time MVP spent the majority of his childhood years in North Carolina, given that his father and NBA veteran Dell Curry played ten seasons for the Hornets.

Taking after his dad, who also wore No. 30, Steph pursued his passion for hoops. Unsurprisingly, he made it to the 2009 draft, where the Golden State Warriors selected him as the seventh pick, and the rest is history. The baby-faced assassin changed the fortunes of the Bay Area.

Steph has played all his 16 seasons so far for the Warriors, leading them to four championships and several other historic feats. While it seems unlikely that he would represent any other franchise, if anyone stood a remote chance, it was the Charlotte Hornets.

During a 2022 interview with the Charlotte Observer, the younger Curry teased the possibility of playing for the Hornets once he turned 38 or 39 years old.

“I think both things can be true: I love the journey with the Warriors, and there’s never been any real interest in playing for any other team. But the curiosity around what it would be like to play for your hometown, what it’d be like to live in Charlotte, to possibly set up roots and all that? You think about it for sure. If I can play for the Warriors my entire career and be one of those guys where I’ve had a lot of success — individually and collectively as a team — and become a one-team guy? That list is pretty short,” replied Steph, adding the following.

“But like I said, that can be true, and also the curiosity of like, “What would it be like to wear No. 30 in Charlotte like my pops?” mentioned younger Curry, who attended the Charlotte Christian School.

The Curry association with Charlotte

Often referred to as the first family of the NBA, the Currys spent a lot of time in North Carolina, thanks to Dell, who joined forces with the Hornets in 1988. Primarily coming off the bench, he helped provide an offensive boost with his 3-point shooting, earning him 6th MOY in 1994.

That said, his contributions to the state of North Carolina were not limited to hardwood. In 1995, Dell and his wife, Sonya, founded the Christian Montessori School of Lake Norman in Huntersville. Not to mention, his philanthropic work with the Dell Curry Foundation.

Retiring from pro basketball in 2002, he turned to commentating in 2009, alongside Steve Martin. According to recent reports, Dell has also been roped in as an analyst for Amazon Prime Video, with the new broadcasting deal set to be in force starting with the 2025-26 season.

Warrior for life

Set to make $59M in the upcoming 2025-26 season, Steph had signed a one-year $62M extension, stretching his deal to the 2026-27 season. Already 37 years of age, it is next to impossible that Dub Nation will ever let the veteran superstar leave the Bay Area.

Undoubtedly, the greatest player to ever wear the Warriors jersey, Steph, has been a game-changer for the organization. A key indicator of their success is their $9.4 billion valuation, the highest across all NBA franchises.

Soon to enter his 17th season, Steph still has a lot to give to the game. Currently, chasing his fifth ring, the front office needs to add some pieces to the roster, considering that Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler are inching towards their late 30s as well.

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 9, 2025, where it first appeared.

When Stephen Curry did not rule out playing for the Hornets: “What would it be like to wear No. 30 in Charlotte like my pops?”

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