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Dec 31, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) shoots the ball during warmups prior to a game against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

'Made a Verbal Commitment' – Golden State Warriors’ Big Man Target Look to Sign With the Team

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Aug 19, 2025 10:10 AM ET

The Golden State Warriors have not made a move to improve their roster. They have been fixated on making a contract proposal for restricted free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga. Until now, the two sides have not reached an agreement on a new contract. It seems that both parties are eager to move on from one another. However, they are still stuck when it comes to the negotiation of Kuminga’s new deal.

The outcome of the Kuminga incident will determine several of the Warriors’ offseason decisions. It’s also one of the reasons why the management has not made a move to re-sign Gary Payton II. It also reached a point where All-Star guard Stephen Curry had to let the organization know that he wants Golden State to keep the 6-foot-2 guard.

“Steph Curry’s voice carries weight in Golden State, and once again the franchise cornerstone is making his stance clear. I’m told Curry has been in direct contact with Gary Payton II, pushing for the Warriors to bring the defensive ace back on a two-year deal,” NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson wrote.

Other than Payton II, free agent center Al Horford has been linked to the Golden State Warriors. Robinson wrote that the one-time champion has already given a verbal agreement regarding his commitment to Golden State.

“Still, Payton II isn’t the only potential addition tied to the Kuminga decision. Veteran big man Al Horford has made a verbal commitment to join the Warriors, but his arrival also depends on how the Kuminga situation unfolds,” he added.

Until the Warriors sort out the Kuminga situation, however, they wouldn’t be able to move on and sign Payton II and Horford.

The Golden State Warriors’ owner wants to keep Kuminga

Nov 2, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) handles the ball against the Houston Rockets during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

Kuminga believes it’s time for him to move on and play for a different team. The forward believes that he can be a star player if he leaves the Golden State Warriors. The outcome of the Kuminga incident will determine several of the Warriors’ offseason decisions. They see it as an opportunity to get something in return, which is why there’s been a lengthy stalemate between the two sides.

Surprisingly, Warriors owner Joe Lacob expressed his thoughts on the situation and said that he wants Kuminga to stay. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported about it on Monday.

“I think the Warriors see him as somebody who’s, if he wants to call it, a building block, I don’t know if I would call it that, but somebody they want around for a long time, because they have 35-year-olds on their team,” Shelburne said. “I know the owner, Joe Lacob has told him this. He loves Jonathan Kuminga. He is the reason that they’ve never included him in trades, because they see the potential in him.”

REPORT: Warriors owner Joe Lacob told Jonathan Kuminga he wants him in Golden State “for a long time,” per @ramonashelburne. pic.twitter.com/OZo78yIdDw

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 18, 2025