Stephen Curry ’s claim that NBA players are “underpaid” has sparked a league-wide debate, and Lou Williams ’ reaction added an unexpected layer to it.
The Golden State Warriors superstar, despite being the highest-paid player in the league, recently argued that players are not fully compensated when you look beyond just salaries.
That statement immediately drew attention across the basketball world. But when Williams weighed in, his response was not exactly what many expected.
Instead of fully agreeing or dismissing the idea, he found himself somewhere in the middle.
Speaking via Run It Back on X , Williams acknowledged Curry’s perspective while pushing back on part of it.
“I wouldn’t say underpaid. But if there’s an opportunity to be paid more, who doesn’t want to be paid more?” Williams said. “I’m a little shocked at who it came from, but I’m also happy it came from Steph Curry because when you consider the source.”
“… It gets taken in a different way. I don’t agree with the underpaid part, but if we can get paid more, let’s get paid more,” he added.
Williams’ reaction reflects a common sentiment among former players. While the term “underpaid” may feel out of place given the massive contracts in today’s NBA, the idea of maximizing earnings is something few would argue against.
He also pointed out that Curry’s voice carries a different level of weight, especially given his status and influence within the league.
Curry’s original point was less about salary figures and more about long-term value. He argued that while players earn significant money, they are still limited by the league’s structure, particularly when it comes to ownership and equity.
Under current rules, active NBA players cannot hold ownership stakes in teams, meaning they miss out on the massive rise in franchise valuations.
That gap is where Curry sees the imbalance. Teams have seen valuations explode over the past decade, with franchises like the Warriors growing into multi-billion-dollar assets, while player earnings remain tied to contracts and salary caps.
He also pointed to the NBA’s growing revenue streams, including a multi-billion-dollar media rights deal, suggesting that the league’s financial growth has outpaced what players can access directly.
In that sense, Curry’s argument is more about business structure than paycheck size, and that is where the debate becomes more complex.
Because while players are earning more than ever, the question he raised is whether they are fully sharing in the long-term value they help create.
Read more:
