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Warriors’ Joe Lacob reveals Timberwolves fans’ Jonathan Kuminga ‘commentary’ at Game 5

Originally posted on NBA on ClutchPoints
By Zachary Weinberger | Last updated May 15, 2025 12:30 PM ET

As the Golden State Warriors were eliminated in the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, there are major decisions that need to be made this summer in regards to key pieces. While the Warriors duo of Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry looks to come back and redeem themselves next season, there are questions about Jonathan Kuminga, as controlling owner Joe Lacob gives his thoughts on the young star.

Kuminga has had an inconsistent season, where while there would be times he would get extended playing time, the trade for Butler saw his minutes go down, especially in the playoffs. When Curry was injured, Kuminga would get more time and put up some solid games, as Lacob retold to The Athletic what he heard from Minnesota’s commentary and how they always talked about the 22-year-old.

“I was listening to the guys behind me tonight give running commentary — T’Wolves fans,” Lacob said. “(Kuminga)’s the guy they talked about all night long. He’s the only guy that could really guard (Anthony Edwards) out there. Did a pretty damn good job. He had a tough situation with the DNPs from the last series, and to bounce back from that, I give him a lot of credit. I’m a big fan of his.”

In Game 5, Kuminga would score 26 points off the bench on shooting 11 of 23 from the field and three of nine, as he averaged 20 points during the series, including a 30-point outing in Game 3. As Lacob says, he’s a fan of Kuminga, he will be a talking point this summer as Golden State is “expected to extend his $10.2 million qualifying offer,” meaning he will be a restricted free agent this offseason as the two sides figure out his future.

Joe Lacob expects Jonathan Kuminga to be in the Warriors’ future plans

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) drives to the basket past Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) in the first half during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

With the Warriors losing to the Timberwolves being a gut punch, it could be a sign of good fortune for Kuminga, who specifically ended his season on a semi-good note, further showing his talent. While there have been many rumors and speculation about Kuminga going to another team, Lacob would speak as if he is part of their future plans, as he would say to The Athletic.

“There are certainly things he has to improve on, but he’s 22 years old,” Lacob said. “He’s got a hell of a lot of potential, and I would think he would be a part of our future plans. Now we’ll have to see how the market all shakes out. We have a lot of evaluating to do. Not me necessarily. But everybody — from coaching staff to basketball operations. We’ll kind of sit around and talk about how we want to construct the team for next year and what the situation is with respect to him.”

If Kuminga were to stay with Golden State, he would no doubt need to gel better when Curry and Butler are on the floor together.

This article first appeared on NBA on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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