Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga is entering restricted free agency after a mixed fourth season in Golden State. As Anthony Slater of The Athletic explains, Kuminga’s future with the team remains unclear.
Sources say Kuminga sees himself as a future All-Star and wants a bigger offensive role to showcase his skills.
He struggled early in the playoffs, sitting out much of the first-round series against Houston, but stepped up in the second round after Stephen Curry’s injury, averaging 24.3 points on efficient shooting over four games versus Minnesota.
Despite some differences between Kuminga’s self-view and the Warriors’ vision for him, these issues aren’t “irreconcilable.”
However, Golden State’s championship focus around Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler may limit his opportunities. A sign-and-trade might be the best solution for both sides.
Coach Steve Kerr has long envisioned Kuminga as a versatile, defensive-minded player like Shawn Marion. Still, Kuminga prefers a more ball-dominant role, leading to an imperfect fit in the system.
Though the Nets aren’t expected to offer Kuminga directly, they might participate in a multi-team sign-and-trade to help maximize cap space.
A sign-and-trade faces complications due to salary cap rules, making a re-signing the “most obvious and prudent” option.
Re-signing would remove certain restrictions and give the Warriors more time to evaluate Kuminga’s fit.
Owner Joe Lacob is a strong supporter and has encouraged Kuminga to remain open to returning. Kuminga hasn’t ruled out rejoining Golden State but may want changes before committing.
Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga’s future with the Warriors is uncertain due a number of factors. More on Hoops Rumors:https://t.co/2s1CJaDuI0
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) May 30, 2025
