Dec 8, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) dribbles by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) in the fourth period at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

'They See The Potential in Him' – Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga Saga Gets an Insane Twist

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Aug 19, 2025 10:11 AM ET

The Golden State Warriors have yet to resolve the Jonathan Kuminga saga, and the 22-year-old swingman reportedly doesn’t want to return to the team next season.

However, Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob feels otherwise. According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Lacob sees Kuminga as a building block to the franchise’s future, so he wants to keep him for as long as possible.

“I do think the Warriors see him (Kuminga) 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 reported on NBA Today.

Jan 25, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) reacts after a foul with head coach Steve Kerr against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

“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,” he added.

Golden State Warriors insider reveals Jonathan Kuminga’s asking price

Golden State Warriors reporter Ron Kroichick claims that Jonathan Kuminga considers himself on par with Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham and Toronto Raptors’ Scottie Barnes.

“League Gotta Have an Agenda” - Golden State Warriors’ 2025-26 Schedule Gets a Strong Reaction From Fans 5 Mar 13, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) reacts to being fouled during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

“Five of the six players selected ahead of Jonathan Kuminga in the 2021 NBA draft, and the one taken directly behind him, already got their bag,” Kroichick wrote.

“He apparently thinks he’s at the Cade Cunningham–Scottie Barnes level, where he should get that type of contract. It’s really a quandary. I think it’s bad for the Warriors and bad for him,” he added.