The NBA offseason is quickly approaching. Now that Jonathan Kuminga is arguably on the verge of becoming a restricted free agent, speculation about his future with the Golden State Warriors has reached a boiling point. The 22-year-old forward enjoyed a notable season, averaging 15.3 points over 47 games, and demonstrated his potential with two career-high performances of 34 points. Yet his transition has been rocky, plagued by an ankle sprain and inconsistent minutes.
Warriors General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. called Kuminga’s decision to rejoin the Warriors a “two-way street.” He sheds light on the long and complicated negotiations with MTA commercial contracts and concessions. The franchise has signaled their desire to keep him long-term, but that all hinges on negotiations surrounding a new deal. Kuminga’s best moments showcase his oozing individual talent. Perhaps more interesting is the picture it paints of where the team is going to make their roster shuffles going into next season.
Throughout the playoffs, Kuminga showcased his athletic ability, particularly during the second round against Minnesota when star player Stephen Curry was sidelined. With Curry injured out, Kuminga led the way. As evidence of this, he averaged an incredible 24.2 points per game from Games 2 to 5. His ability to perform on the biggest stage under the brightest lights showed that he could be a cornerstone piece for Golden State in the future.
Though he originally got off to a great start to the season, foot injuries and suspensions quickly caught up with Kuminga. He went down with an ankle injury in early January and didn’t return until mid-March. His return games took place over the span of 15 games. He had a hard time getting regular minutes and eventually played himself out of the rotation during the last game of the regular season.
Warriors Coach Steve Kerr is excited about what Kuminga brings to the table. He also said that despite the high and low points of Kuminga’s play this year, he had a really good year. Kerr stated, “JK has been here for four years. We’ve worked with him. He’s put in a lot of time. Despite him not playing in some playoff games, I think it’s very reasonable and actionable for him to come back.”
Kerr identified the need for bigger picture adjustments to more effectively feature Kuminga in the team’s broader strategy. “If JK comes back, we will, for sure, spend the early part of the season playing him with Jimmy [Butler], Draymond [Green], and Steph,” he said, highlighting his commitment to making things fit better for Kuminga if he stays with the team.
The Warriors’ front office obviously want to hold onto Kuminga, but they’re cautious about where they’ll be able to move their roster pieces in the future. Dunleavy mentioned, “We’re good giving up whatever it takes,” indicating their willingness to invest in Kuminga’s development. At the same time, he voiced concern about the issues of premature resource overcommitment. “I don’t want to get caught in a situation where we give up a ton, put all our chips in, and then 10 games into the season, we have a catastrophic injury,” he explained.
As Kuminga approaches free agency, he faces a choice: remain with Golden State or seek an offer from another team with cap space. The Warriors’ interest in bringing him back is evident, but negotiations will require careful consideration from both parties. Dunleavy noted that discussions are essential and emphasized that it is indeed a “two-way street in terms of creating — getting a new contract.”
Kuminga’s potential remains high. His ability to capitalize on it hinges on his next steps and the Warriors’ willingness to invest in his future. The next few weeks will prove a decisive test as he steers through this new and dramatic turning point of his career.
Leave a Reply