Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Rumor: Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II Expected To Sign With Warriors Once Jonathan Kuminga Signs Deal

Originally posted on Hoops Wire | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Aug 4, 2025 4:05 PM ET

Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II are expected to sign with the Golden State Warriors once Jonathan Kuminga signs his deal, according to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Kuminga is a restricted free agent. Most people believe the swingman will sign his qualifying offer worth $7.9 million and then enter unrestricted free agency next offseason.

“Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II have all long been expected to sign with the Warriors this summer but remain on hold when it comes to making those deals official while the Jonathan Kuminga situation plays out,” Stein wrote.

Payton II and Melton played for the Warriors last season, while Horford played for the Boston Celtics.

Golden State lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the 2025 playoffs in five games.

The Warriors want to re-sign Kuminga. The franchise recently offered the forward a two-year, $45 million contract.

Kuminga, though, declined the offer because the contract had a team option in Year 2 and there was no built-in no-trade clause.

Kuminga wants to leave the Warriors. He doesn’t have a good relationship with head coach Steve Kerr.

Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists for the Warriors last season in 47 games. He shot 45.4% from the floor, 30.5% from beyond the arc and 66.8% from the free-throw line.

The 22-year-old Kuminga was the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He enters next season with career averages of 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists with Golden State.

The Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings are interested in acquiring Kuminga in a sign-and-trade deal, but the Warriors don’t like the offers.

The Kings offered a three-year, $63 million deal to Kuminga, according to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic. In the sign-and-trade proposal, the Warriors would get Malik Monk and a 2030 first-round pick.