Dec 6, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) reacts after a dunk against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

Warriors GM Gets Honest About Jonathan Kuminga’s Future

Originally posted on Golden State Warriors on SI
By Liam Willerup | Last updated Jul 12, 2025 12:46 PM ET

The Golden State Warriors have been the quietest team so far this NBA offseason, as they've yet to make a move and watched fan favorite Kevon Looney depart to the New Orleans Pelicans. While they've been in rumors to land players such as Al Horford and De'Anthony Melton, it seems as though the franchise is weighing everything based on their restricted free agent decision.

Before acquiring Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga looked like a focal point for this Warriors team, even leading Steve Kerr to bench Draymond Green in favor of him. However, things changed after Butler's arrival, but Kuminga showed promise late in the postseason. In attendance at Summer League, Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy got honest about the team's intentions.

Mike dunleavy on Kuminga
-mentions he wants to keep him pic.twitter.com/kU9PlHYrp8
— Chef curry (Parody) (@baby_face_goat) July 12, 2025

As mentioned, Dunleavy pointed out how Kuminga fell victim to timing, with him being out injured while Butler joined the team. However, his play against the Minnesota Timberwolves put him in a better position.

"When Steph went down, he stepped up, and that was admirable from [Jonathan Kuminga]'s standpoint. It's a big reason why I want to bring him back," Dunleavy said. Across the final three playoff games for Golden State, Kuminga averaged 26.3 points per game on 51.9% shooting from the field.

Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy said the way Jonathan Kuminga stepped up after Steph Curry got hurt vs Minnesota is “a big reason why I want to bring him back” in an ESPN halftime interview.

Kuminga, an RFA, scored 18, 30, 23 and 26 points in his final four games of the season.
— Danny Emerman (@DannyEmerman) July 12, 2025

Perhaps the biggest holdup in these negotiations will be the money, as Golden State is the only team that has the money to match him due to their bird rights. A sign-and-trade can always be explored, but the base year compensation rule means the Warriors can only take back 50% of his outgoing salary in a deal, making a move less attractive.

This article first appeared on Golden State Warriors on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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