The Warriors are heading into a pivotal offseason as they look to put together a roster that can help stars Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler compete at the highest level possible.
On Friday, general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. spoke about one of the biggest questions facing the team in that effort: what to do with the talented but inconsistent wing, Jonathan Kuminga, who will be a restricted free agent this summer.
“As far as bringing him back next season, I think it’s something we’re very interested in doing because, when I look at the things JK does well, in terms of getting to the rim, finishing, getting fouled, these are things we greatly need,” Dunleavy said, as reported by ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk.
Team owner Joe Lacob‘s well-chronicled appreciation for Kuminga works in favor of the 22-year-old from the Congo remaining with the Warriors. However, Dunleavy was far from definitive when he discussed Kuminga’s future in the Bay.
“I know how we can work with him better,” Dunleavy said. “But in terms of guessing how it’s all going to play out or what the contract might look like or sign-and-trades and things like that, honestly, I’d be totally guessing at this point to conjecture on anything.”
Assuming they tender him an $8MM qualifying offer as expected, the Warriors could negotiate a new multiyear deal with Kuminga, let him seek an offer sheet with another team, or work out a sign-and-trade deal to send him elsewhere. He could also choose to accept his QO, which would put him in track for unrestricted free agency in 2026.
Kuminga’s role fluctuated throughout the season, as well as in the playoffs, but Curry’s injury in the first round opened the door for him to receive major minutes and he made the most of the opportunity, despite the Warriors falling to the Timberwolves in five games. In his final four outings, he averaged 31 minutes per night and put up 24.3 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 38.9% from three and racking up 6.3 free throw attempts per game.
Head coach Steve Kerr admitted earlier this spring that he had trouble using Kuminga alongside Butler and Draymond Green, but indicated on Friday that he’ll exercise more patience exploring lineup fits for the 6’8″ forward should he remain on the roster.
“If JK comes back, we will, for sure, spend the early part of the season playing him with Jimmy, Draymond, Steph,” Kerr said. “To me, that would be a no-brainer. We didn’t have that luxury this year.”
Kerr and Dunleavy ended their press conference by reiterating that they believe the roster has championship potential while acknowledging that changes will likely have to be made. The Warriors’ GM didn’t close the door on the idea of giving up young players and draft picks to pursue another impact player after adding Butler in February, but suggested the front office would be wary of moves that could hurt the team in the long run.
“We’re good giving up whatever it takes,” Dunleavy said. “It just depends how good we think that will make our team. I think the only issue with mortgaging the future is you just don’t want to get caught. 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, there’s nowhere to go, and then we’re stuck for four or five years.”
A sign-and-trade to Brooklyn for Cam Johnson makes a lot of sense.
We know the two teams discussed a larger deal when they made the Melton-for-Schroeder deal earlier this year.
The Nets can sign JK outright. No need for a sign-and-trade. But, they want someone who is more polished Kuminga.
The Warriors can make Butler work with Kuminga. Kuminga worked with Wiggins. Butler came in and completely changed the Warriors season. The Warriors were a disaster before he arrived. JK was injured. You just can’t upset the chemistry for one person. It’ll be better to work things out in training camp without the pressure of the playoffs looming. JK needs to work on his shooting. Early season slumps make it hard to keep him in the starting lineup.
they cannot sign him outright. he’s an RFA.
philliesfan215 said:
> they cannot sign him outright. he’s an RFA.
That’s right. I think that what Giants74 meant was that the Nets, unlike any other team at the moment, have the cap space to tender an offer at Kuminga’s market value in the $30-$35M/yr arange.
Kuminga actually fits the Nets’ timeline perfectly. And the Nets have other assets that give them optionality in deal-making in a sign and yradw
Giants74, nobody is expecting Kuminga to significantly improve his 3-point shooting, nor does he need to. Kuminga gets to the basket, just like Butler (a career 30% 3-point shooter), and that helps everyone else. Kerr wants Kuminga shooting less, not more.
The challenge is to fit Kuminga with the offense. That requires an investment by multiple parties. The result will determine how long or whether Kuminga stays with the Warriors.
Kuminga is sitting beside owner Joe Lacob on the floor at the Valkyries game tonight. The two are being extremely friendly and talkative.
Many other Warriors — including Kerr and Draymond — are in attendance. But they’re nowhere near the owner.