Warriors Rumors: Al Horford, Jonathan Kuminga, Malcolm Brogdon

The Golden State Warriors remain confident in their ability to sign veteran big man Al Horford, even with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga’s future with the franchise unresolved, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report and The Stein Line.

Fischer reported during a live stream this week that Horford has been in steady communication with Golden State’s front office and is one of several veteran free agents willing to wait for clarity on Kuminga’s situation.

Other players linked to the Warriors include De’Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II, Seth Curry and Malcolm Brogdon, thou gh those players would likely be looking at minimum-salary deals.

Horford’s situation is different. The 40-year-old center is expected to command more than a minimum contract, with Fischer noting he could be in line for the full $5.7 million taxpayer mid-level exception.

There has also been discussion about a possible two-year deal that would include a player option. ESPN’s Anthony Slater has previously reported that Golden State envisions Horford as a major part of its rotation and potentially the starting center.

The Warriors’ ability to finalize such a deal is tied directly to Kuminga’s contract. Using any portion of the mid-level exception would hard-cap Golden State at the second apron, raising the risk of being unable to match a rival offer sheet for Kuminga.

For now, the Warriors are delaying oth er offseason moves until they resolve his restricted free agency.

If Kuminga accepts the reported two-year, $45 million offer from the Warriors, the team would sit roughly $14.9 million below the second apron with 10 players under contract. That would give them the flexibility to offer Horford the full taxpayer mid-level while filling out the roster with minimum signings.

If Kuminga instead takes his $7.98 million qualifying offer, Golden State would have about $17 million in room below the first apron and could, in theory, go slightly above the taxpayer exception to secure Horford.

But that move would trigger a hard cap at the first apron, something the front office may prefer to avoid.

Fischer cautioned that Kuminga’s situation could extend well into September. The 21-year-old forward has until Oct. 1 to decide whether to accept his qualifying offer, a timeline that could delay the rest of Golden State’s offseason planning.