Warriors’ Mike Dunleavy Jr: Jonathan Kuminga ‘Main Priority,’ Free Agency Plans Still Unclear

Golden State Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. called Jonathan Kuminga “a main priority” heading into free agency but stopped short of detailing the team’s intentions with the restricted free agent.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Dunleavy said the Warriors are eager to “figure something out sooner than later” with the 22-year-old forward, whose flashes of promise have been clouded by uneven playing time, especially after the midseason arrival of Jimmy Butler.

Kuminga, the No. 7 overall pick in 2021, did not reach an extension prior to the season and will become a restricted free agent on Monday. The Warriors will have the right to match any outside offer, though Dunleavy acknowledged that restricted free agency “can drag out a little bit.”

The Brooklyn Nets remain the only team projected to have enough cap space to present a competitive offer sheet. Meanwhile, teams like the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat have been loosely linked as possible sign-and-trade partners.

While Dunleavy reiterated that the organization values Kuminga’s upside, he suggested the team will need to be clearer about the young forward’s responsibilities.

“I think those conversations (about his role) will need to happen, especially the way this season kind of unfolded,” Dunleavy said. “There were moments where he wasn’t playing as much, then the role increased. He was injured. A lot of up and down. … (His role) will probably be necessary to clarify.”

Dunleavy also touched on several other offseason topics:

— Draft plans: Golden State owns the No. 41 pick in this week’s draft. Dunleavy said the Warriors are more likely to trade down than move into the first round, despite past second-round success. The Warriors landed Trayce Jackson-Davis at No. 57 in 2023 and Quinten Post at No. 52 last year.

“You’d be lucky to draft a guy in the second round who can make it at all,” Dunleavy said. “We’re going to analyze this draft, look at it and try to find the best player who can contribute.”

— Trade market approach: With Butler, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green set to make $170.5 million combined next season, Dunleavy admitted adding another major salary is off the table. That won’t stop the Warriors from seeking help in the middle of the roster.

“We’ll look at players that we really like,” he said. “But it’s almost impossible for us to add players in the salary range of guys we were looking at last season since we’ve added Jimmy. That’s the only limiter. But in terms of finding talent and improving this team, we’re going to look under every rock.”

— Injury updates: Guards Moses Moody (thumb surgery) and Brandin Podziemski (wrist and core muscle surgeries) are both expected to be ready by training camp, with Dunleavy saying each should still get “a good portion” of summer development work.

While the Warriors remain publicly committed to their current core, the direction of the roster — and Kuminga’s future in it — remains uncertain as free agency nears.