The best-case scenario: Curry follows Lakers forward LeBron James’ blueprint for longevity. At 36, James is a strong candidate for his fifth career NBA MVP award. Entering Sunday evening’s game against the Warriors at Staples Center, he remains a model of consistency, having posted at least 15 points, five rebounds and five assists in 33 of his 34 outings this season.
With James leading the way, the Lakers own the league’s second-best record at 23-11. Curry, meanwhile, is delivering his best statistical season since his unanimous MVP campaign in 2015-16. Two weeks shy of his 33rd birthday, he is averaging 29.9 points on 48% shooting (41.5% from 3-point range), 6.3 assists and 5.5 rebounds.
Research suggests that the peak of an NBA player’s prime is 27, but Curry might not even be at his physical best yet. His marks in a number of muscle-building exercises this past offseason set personal records. In a recent interview with The Chronicle, Curry’s longtime personal trainer, Brandon Payne, was adamant that his prized pupil is just starting to enter the heart of his prime.
“Right now, him at 32, 33 is typically where a lot of guys are at 27, 28,” Payne said. “There’s still some more room to grow physically, just in terms of continuing to gain power and get faster.
“I don’t think that this is a one-, two- or three-year thing. I think you’re talking about five, six or seven years of this type of high-level production.”
If that’s true, Curry would play better deep into his 30s than almost anyone in NBA history. James, who is much more physically imposing than Curry at 6-foot-9, 250 pounds, offers perhaps the league’s best current case study in sustained greatness.
In James, Curry sees a trajectory that he hopes to emulate. Speaking to reporters in mid-January, he said, “LeBron’s a great model to have in terms of longevity. He’s definitely pushing the envelope in terms of what he’s doing at his age. It’s pretty awesome to watch as a competitor knowing what he’s got left in the tank at this level.”
Asked Sunday whether he could see Curry being as dominant in the latter half of his 30s as James is at 36, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said, “Everybody’s different. The one thing I do know with Steph is that he will extend it for as long as his body is physically capable, because he works like crazy all summer, and he loves the game.
“If you’re constantly working at it, and you’re smart about the way you take care of yourself, then you’re going to extend your career. So, Steph will definitely do a good job of that, but who knows what that means for his prime?”
Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cletourneau@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @Con_Chron
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