Warriors star Stephen Curry isn’t panicking as the offseason drags along without his team making a roster addition, writes Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle. Personnel moves have been on hold as Golden State’s front office tries to resolve a stalemate with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II, and Seth Curry are among the candidates to sign with Golden State once Kuminga’s situation is settled, and Stephen Curry doesn’t have any anxiety about the situation with training camp still roughly six weeks away.
“It’s different, for sure,” the two-time MVP told reporters on Thursday at his youth basketball camp. “But my confidence is built on the identity we were able to create over the last third of the regular season last year and the playoff journey.”
Curry added, “We have a really good team,” but acknowledged there’s a “need for some pieces to help get us to the next level.”
As he prepares for his 17th NBA season, Curry explained that his offseason routine has “evolved drastically” and his workouts now emphasize “checking off all the boxes of movement and skill set that’s relevant to my game.” He doesn’t seem to have any lingering effects from the strained left hamstring that forced him to miss nearly all of the second-round playoff loss to Minnesota.
“Pacing myself nice,” he said. “Ready to finish the summer strong. … When you see me whenever Media Day is, should be primed and ready to go.”
There’s more on the Warriors:
- Six of the top eight players selected in the 2021 draft already have lucrative extensions in hand, but Kuminga hasn’t been able to reach an agreement on a modest salary with Golden State, notes Ron Kroichick of The San Francisco Chronicle. Landing with an established team, Kuminga didn’t receive the regular rotation role and consistent minutes that top-seven picks usually get. Add that to a depressed market where none of the top restricted free agents have landed an offer sheet, and it’s easy to understand Kuminga’s frustration. “He apparently thinks he’s at the Cade Cunningham–Scottie Barnes level, where he should get that type of contract,” a league source told Kroichick. “… It’s really a quandary. I think it’s bad for the Warriors and bad for him.”
- Appearing on the Glue Guys Podcast (YouTube link) Steve Kerr talked about the frustrations of trying to work with young players in the midst of a hectic NBA schedule. “We don’t practice anymore,” Kerr said. “So we have to develop these 19-year-old kids who are coming into the league without much practice time. … Frankly, I’m not great — I’m an older coach. … So I lean on the young (coaches).”
- As vice president of basketball development Kent Lacob leaves the organization, Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic explores the reasons behind his decision and the stressful journey to break the news to his father, Warriors owner Joe Lacob.
FYI, this “Gary Payton II is going to sign with GSW after the Kuminga situation” part lacks factual backing. Its been announced there are handshake deals in place with Horford and Melton, but no such handshake deal has been announced with GP2. GP2 himself said he was waiting on the Kuminga situation to decide where to sign, but the Warriors have not actually said they are targeting GP2.
This has been a poor breakdown in reporting (in general, not targeting any specific journalist here) to where 2 guys with handshake deals in place and another guy who said “I might want to sign with GSW” but GSW have said nothing about wanting him back, are all being lumped in together. The Warriors have not verified or confirmed their interest in Payton the same way they have Horford and Melton.
If there’s one thing you’ve been known to care about Davey it’s “factual backing”
Davey wants handshake deals behind the scenes reported in the media.
Davey thinks rumors of a “possible” Gary Payton signing is worthy of a HR headline.
I see a pattern of someone who lacks a real world understanding of how life works. There’s just no logic in some of these statements.
There’s nothing to be secretive about, nor anything to report on. GP2 is available because he has no other offers, or, if he does, they’re at the minimum.
He’s 32 years old with an extensive injury history. GP2 has only fit on one team in his NBA career. His value is as a complement to Steph. His 3PT%, which is average, has been artificially inflated with not being defended.
The real problem is that 19 year olds shouldn’t be in the NBA. They should spend 2 seasons in college working on their game, followed by a season in the GLeague to adjust to the higher level play. All the other leagues have a developmental process. Is basketball really that easy that players could skip the whole process. It is even worse for Kuminga. He basically went from High School to an established team. At the time, the Warriors FO didn’t think they could compete, their window had closed. Unfortunately, the Celtics choked. The Ignite was a pretty sorry excuse for a league sponsored team. The didn’t spend any money on a facility for team. I doubt they put much effort into a coaching staff…And here we are with this mess.
Kerr played Anthony Lamb instead of Kuminga. For no reason at all. Other than Kerr is terrible at his job and always has been but especially has been a bottom 5 HC since 2023.
Maybe if the NBA allowed teams to loan players out like they do in soccer?
Kuminga has some skills but he is not Barnes or Cunningham, and he will never be as good as either of those players. If he had that kind of upside a team would be working out an actual deal involving some real assets, not offering Monk or O’Neale. The market has spoken.
Based year compensation makes that much harder
They were offered devin carter and a first round pick so it’s more like they’re being delusional
Actually it was not a 1st round Pick. Kings offered 2 2nd round picks with Carter and Saric. A few experts have said if Carter doesn’t develop a 3 pt shot he is a bust. Saric is $5 million of wasted space. If teh Kings want Kuminga offer them a better package.
It was a lottery protected first
If kuminga is as good as the warriors are posturing he is, shouldn’t be an issue
Saric is salary matching, common and easily flippable as more expiring floatsam for a future trade
And carter has a chance and was a lotto pick last year
That Kings package is the lowest of the low. No one on earth except Kings stans think that is a valid package for Kuminga.
Warriors want a young star and a 1st for Kuminga. You think Saric is that guy. Nope. That guy is Keegan Murray, who btw, plays the same position as Kuminga. Why is he untouchable here? Because the Kings FO are morons. The Kings front office is the biggest joke in the league who doesn’t know anything about player value or roster construction at all. Free Sabonis.
the 1st rounder was in the Monk trade but it was a real late first rounder the elast favorable one between Kings and spurs. Saric is not easily flippable if he was the Kings would have already traded him. Carter had only 1 good shooting year in college and so far in the pros he has been terrible. the kings need to bring in a third team and get something worth it for the warriors to make the trade. seems like they tried and nobody wants those 2 players too.
The lottery protected FRP was included with their attempt to get off Malik Monk’s overpay, not with the Carter and Saric proposal.
Saric is the opposite of easily flippable, he’s been unplayable the last 2 seasons/teams.
Everyone knows expiring contracts are easily moved in trades during the season
Almost Every trade has extra floatsam salary
You should teach GaryRedSoxWarriors that. Cause he just lives to shoot down 19 yr olds. Real MLB fans understand development. Its not an exact science. When you have players who make it to The Show. After being drafted in 6-12 round 5 yrs later.
#1 picks in NBA should all make it. If you give them time to do it. And take the time and commitment. To make sure they do make it. This is a major issue now. Cause 18-19 year olds are the ones going in first round. Just common sense to me. It’s not just that you are leveling up. But you haven’t even grown into your body yet. A minimum of two years is what they need. The second year they can be on bench. Two years of G-league is the smart way to go.
@Al You are a bit off about MLB. There is no timeline for when a drafted player makes their MLB debut. Players usually don’t make until they are 24. But, that is not etched in stone. They get called up when they are ready. And, they don’t sit on the bench. They play that day that they arrive.
MLB also has a larger prospect pool. Every team has 168 Minor Leaguers. Some of those are veterans.
there is a timeline before they must be on the 40 man roster or they can become a free agent. I thought it was 3 years after being drafted they must be put on the 40 man roster. I am not sure about the 3 years.
Nope. You only become free agent if you get DFAd, they non-tender you, or you reach 6 seasons of Major league service. I think you are thinking of the Rule 5 draft. But, that is not Free Agency.
Statistics show it takes 2-5 yrs to make it in mlb. College players who played 3-4 yrs have an advantage. Yet only 10% of minor L players make it to pros. And baseball has 20 rounds of draft.
I’m not comparing sports. I am showing the importance of development. No 18-19 yr old is ready to play in NBA. Basketball is not as defined or as intricate as mlb. We are talking 5 on 5 and 12 man roster. Yet the importance of learning, growing, adapting, new system. Isn’t something you will get by starting right away. Even great players like Bron and Cooper need time to adjust. And these are generational players. I’m just showing it takes time to adjust to playing in NBA. It takes time to develop your talent for the NBA. It takes time to adjust to life in NBA. It takes time to adjust to your team. It takes time to build a team.
The point is if you can see other sports have developmental leagues. To help get their young talent ready for big leagues. Why would you think anyone is ready to play in NBA their rookie year. Specially when they are 18-19 yr olds. Just common sense to give them two years of training and adjustments. Better to have a player learning and playing in G-league. Than sitting on bench. Better to have your #1 pick playing 28-30 mins in G-league. Than being the 8-10 man on roster. Development is the key to becoming a good player. Just common sense to me lol …….
That is why I think it is sad that they want put a team in Vegas, or start a Euro-League. I always wonder how many players out could be 10-15-20 minutes a night type of guys. They may not be stars. But, they could find valuable bench minutes.
Vegas might not want a team. Visitors are way down in Vegas and customers are complaining about all the taxes and add ons because of sport teams. I get a feeling they really regret that A’s stadium they are trying to build. People are balking at all those extra fees to pay for sport teams like the raiders.
There are questions at whether or not Fisher has the money to build his stadium. A lot construction has shutdown in Vegas due to rising costs.
Yeah I can see that. I think they are moving too fast with Vegas and sports teams. This is about a home crowd. Building loyalty from your city. Not from tourists.
Yes I’m sure the NBA product would be better if Anthony Edwards was made to sit 3 years instead of playing in the NBA at 19.
Here are some clouds for you to yell at you geezers.
This excuse that Golden State was pursuing a championship and this has now somehow concealed this budding superstar is silly. If Kuminga is not talented enough to contribute to the Warriors pursuit of a championship, why would he be talented enough for someone else’s pursuit?
All the Wizards and Nets and Suns down in the bottom of the NBA have their own version of Kuminga already on their roster. And in almost every case their version doesn’t cost 17-25 million per year.
@druuu Kinda ignorant there bucky. Kuminga has played. Why do you people keep saying?
It is hard to defend a title with 1st and 2nd year players. When is the last time the Nets, Wizards, Timberwolves, and Suns have had to defend a title. The Suns couldn’t win a title with a veteran squad.
GS pursuit of chips is part of the problem. Cause they need a savior. Yet the savior is not ready. Players have to be talented enough to help. Teams have to develop them enough for them to help. This isn’t about blame. This is about failing your player and team. Wiseman could of just been used as a rim protector. 15-20 mins. Just protect rim and rebound. Yet they wanted him to shoot. Score more. Play perimeter D. Their priority wasn’t development. It was chasing another chip. So he was dealt. Now they don’t want make same mistake with Kuminga. Yet they are cause he didn’t develop like they wanted him to. And now with Jimmy there. There are no mins for him. Cause again their priority is chasing another chip. Warriors have failed in development. That simple. Cause even if you want to go another way. You get more value for a player who is developed better. Than a player you blame for being 20-22 yrs old. That simple .
Warriors also spent all their money on Butler last year. They went all in with the chips. Warriors also said they will not be trading any 1st round picks knowing they are rebuilding in 2 years. So either the old guys stay healthy and get them into the playoffs or its go younger next year. If they stumble by midseason I wouldn’t doubt Butler is traded for future 1st round picks. Then they sign Kuminga to an extension so he stays on the team.
Seriously I get chasing chips. Injury to Clay and Wiggins personal issues hurt that. So it has made Warriors rush and mismanage those players. The reality is young players need good development. Even if its to trade them. This is all I have ever said. Blame can only go to franchise. My team has mismanaged plenty picks. So I know this toon.
Now Warriors are way past fixing all this. Now right now. It’s about getting value for Kuminga. He is gone. So you have to get best value for team NOW. What young players out there can help the team now. Can’t blow that.
You are forgetting that Wiseman had no college, COVID-19 shortened season, and a knee injury. Trading him was for his own good. Teams that have no playoff chances can give players lots of minutes. They get to go through their screw up and learn and it won’t be that costly in the standings.
Look its not a crime to call your team out. All teams miss at times. Wiseman was in their care. You do what you need to do. For as long as it takes. We can all come up with better ways now. 20-20 is a great hindsight vision. You realize Wiseman stats are better than IHart when he left Knicks. Imo there is no reason why he can’t be a decent starting center. Just takes time. Obviously time Warriors didn’t have. It happens. Now it’s Kuminga whose time has run out.
“we don’t practice anymore” – that’s on Kerr, to call practices. Why does he not do this?
The last 3rd of the season was one of the easiest shedules in the league, but anyway. I mean, why make the trade for Jimmy if all was rosey? This kuminga situation is a mess and it will derail the Warriors unless resolved. As in, Kuminga elsewhere.
Huh? All wasn’t rosey, that’s why they made the Jimmy trade.
It’ s only a mess because everyone just wants something to happen, Steph is right, this will be resolved before training camp. Probably with GS guaranteeing more the second year and Kuminga signing.
The Warriors have won 4 championships with all kinds of locker room drama, this is just more of the same.
Where did you get the idea that the Warriors had a rosey season last year? Absolutely no one was saying that. Sounds like something you are making up, again.
Lols. Again, comprehension lacking.
@ Davey…post who else they beat. Warriors run home after acquiring Jimmy was a cake walk. Including back to backs for those teams you mentioned.
Look at all the teams they beat without Butler when they were struggling.
What? You aren’t exactly proving anything I said wrong, lols. If Warriors groupies such as yourself and Davey care to pull your heads out of the Warrior fanbase fantasy clouds. It would take all of two minutes to come to the assumption while taking into account various different sites may differ a little…that Golden State had, at best the 19th easiest run home. That’s the most flattering. Others sites have them at 20th, 21st,22nd in the run home after Jimmy trade. Needless to say, there was atleast 20 teams with a harder run home. Hardly a murderes row now is it. Remind me again what exactly I’m making up or how you don’t take what I say seriously? Gary is the only Warriors fan here as far I’m concerned who isn’t a complete clueless fanboy. Enjoy Kuminga in the squad come opening day, lols. That will go real well.
My bad…19th easiest run home…oops.
Yeah man, all teams play good and bad teams. GSW dominated good teams in this era, even sending home the Rockets, who had a better record. Weird hill to die on. You are just plain wrong.
GSW season breakdown:
12-3
12-24
24-7
“The last 3rd of the season was one of the easiest shedules in the league”
They beat: Memphisx2, Lakers, Nuggets, Bucks, Rockets, Mavs, Magic and Knicks.
Why lie like this, @nrg2? Your entire comment is off-base.
As far as Kuminga goes now. Warriors want him to sign QO. Cause then they can sign the three players they want. Horford, Melton, Payton . Then they can move JK for young talent and a pick. This way they are adding 4 players and a pick. By JK signing his QO then trading him. So go into season with that exchange.
If he signs the QO he has a no-trade clause, meaning the Warriors would eventually lose him for nothing
Not necessarily. If a team that wants him to be a starter offers a FRP and whatever player could be had for the CBA required salary match, why would he use his no-trade clause?
Yeah but thats tougher to happen, if a team offers the Warriors a package they like it would still have to go through Kuminga and he might say no.
If it is a trade that he agrees with, then it isnt a problem, but finding a trade that both the Warriors and Kuminga accept makes it more unlikely imo
Because he would lose his bird rights
That’s why he’s allowed to veto
I asked Luke Adams in the Thursday chat a couple weeks ago about whether a team can trade a player who accepts the QO. Apparently they can. I’m wondering though: what happens if Kuminga waits until October to sign the QO? Does that mean he is not tradable for six months from that point?
kuminga would have the right to veto a trade if he accepts a QO.
It means he has to agree to trade. Kuminga will go where he can start now or soon. Plenty of teams can use him. At 8 mill it will no issue trading for him.
Al, if a player under a QO agrees to a trade, he loses his Bird rights. And can only sign for the amount of the QO + 120%.
For Kuminga, it would be $7.9 + 120%. That’s the most he can get next year if he agrees to a trade after taking a QO.
He won’t do it, obviously. If he accepts it, he’ll spend a year in GS.
No he doesn’t. He is essentially a FA. He can resign for max extension if they offer. Fact is no one is trading for Kuminga unless they are signing him. That was the whole point of him not accepting Warriors offer. They wanted him to give up jis Bird rights. Whoever trades for him he will have to resign there. So he will agree to trade. I don’t see him staying on Warriors all year.
link to espn.com
If Kuminga signs a QO and stays with GS – he will have full Bird rights next summer and can sign for a max with any team.
If he signs a QO and agrees to get traded, he loses his Bird rights and can only sign for 120% of his $7.9m deal.
Luke explained it a couple of weeks ago in a chat about RFAs. There should be a transcript, but I can’t find it.
Dude it doesn’t matter. If he is traded. It means he will sign a new deal. he has a no trade clause. The team who trades for him. Will sign him to new deal 25-30 mill a year. He doesn’t need his Bird rights. He is not playing for Warriors. Not after all the BS they put him thru.
Steph is going to have to do some generational level of carrying to get this team in the playoffs
He has done that every year except 3 years.
Good for Steve Kurt to acknowledge that he’s not great at developing young players. I mean it is beyond obvious, but rarely do you hear a coach on us enough to admit that
yeah and it should mean he gets fired. if you cant do the job, why take it?
@rockingryan, While honesty is always good, the excuse that “I’m not great — I’m an older coach”, signals other problems.
Age is NOT an excuse for not relating well or investing in younger players. Greg Popovich, for example, was effective and energetic with young players until the very end.
Take it from a guy in Kerr’s age bracket: there is no full-time job where age can be offered as an excuse, especially a critical function like player development. Kerr knows that. The admission tells me that Kerr already has one foot outside the door.
12 of their first 17 games are on the road. So you will know how good they will be if they can survive the first 17 games winning close to .500 of them. Its a tough schedule this year so the bandwagon fans will flee if they get off to a slow start.
Even though we saw the opposite last year with the hot start and then bad play, you are correct. If GSW are .500 or better, they are going places.
Still, no team has a better big 3 than Steph/Jim/Dray.
@DaveyJ There are a bunch of better big 3 combos out there. Don’t be a homer. Maybe 3 years ago but not now. Maybe for 1 game but not for a bunch of playoff series. Steph is still top 10 but Jimmy and Dray are not top 20 players anymore.
Some combos are better because more talented. Some are better because they are young and can stay healthy. Age is a real thing.
Let’s talk undisputed #1 SGA, Williams, Holmgren
If your not from the Bay these are better
#2 Luka, LeBron, Reaves
#3 Mitchell (1st all-nba), Mobley (Dpoy), Garland
#4 Kahwi, Harden, Zubac
Wrong – you are massively underrating Jimmy. 24-8 to finish the reg season and then dumping the Rockets and about to clean sweep the Wolves until Steph got hurt. We were looking at a OKC/GSW WCF til Curry’s hamstring. That’s the result of the powerful big 3 and literally nothing else. Rest of the team was injured. Curry/Jimmy/Dray put the team on their backs and were rolling until Steph was gone.
OKC has an equally good big 3. Less rings but younger. Time will tell. While SGA is also a grifter-hooper, Steph is as clean as they come. Don’t love putting a free throw merchant ahead of Steph, it’s different rules for those guys compared to 30. We all know this by now.
Lakers = LOL nope. Maybe 3 years ago. Luka and Bron can’t co-exist and then Reaves is a similar type of player as well. I hate the Lakers big 3 btw, they should have traded Bron and Reaves by now for better fits for Luka.
Cavs = NOPE. No rings, not valid.
Clippers = maybe in 2018 that would be a top one but not even close.
Hold your rare L here. Easy Money. You earned it.
@davey we’re talking future not past. We all saw Minnesota series. Old age is a mother. Experience helps a little but old age kills. Jimmy balled out last season but only 40 games. Im happy if he gets 55-60 this year. Same with Dray and Steph.
It’s ok to get old if you let the young guys step up
I know I will.
More important to see what roster will look like. After this JK issue is resolved. Imo its looking like he will sign QO. You get those three FAs. Then what will come back in JK trade. Imo best to move him sooner than later. Warriors don’t even have their roster set for this year.
Plenty of young talent out there that fits GS team needs now. A young big would be great.
I get the feeling if he is not traded by QO is signed then he just gambles and becomes a free agent at the end of the year. Unless the warrior season goes south early and they trade Butler using that money to sign Kuminga to an extension that he likes. Which they tank the season and trade Green getting more picks and younger players.
He doesn’t want to stay. If he messes up. No one will offer big money. And Warriors don’t need a disgruntled player on team. Serves them both to fo a trade before season. Plenty teams will take a chance on Kuminga. Just gotta hope for good return. You know no one is going to help Warriors.
I can think of a few teams where he would be great. Bucks, Grizz, Nets, Pelicans
Rumor has it that the warriors offered Kuminga for Portis but Bucks turned them down. Grizz has players the warriors could use so that could be a good place for him traded to. Herbert Jones for Kuminga would be a good trade for both teams.
I can’t imagine he is dumb enough to take the QO. IMO if he was, it would have already been signed.
@NBAisOK, “dumb” by what standard? Certainly not an economic one…unless you think his NBA career ends at 26 years old.
If you do a financial analysis with a horizon of 4 or more years, even with the most conservative risk profile, it’s most definitely not “dumb” if Kuminga believes playing for GSW this season reduces his market value (the most rational assumption, as you’ve previously pointed out). All parties understand that.
At this stage, we know the two sides’ publicly ranked preferences, and Kuminga’s ranking is exactly what a reasonable financial analysis suggests
1) extension with at least 2 yrs guaranteed
2) QO (the only route to a team that values him)
3) extension with no guarantees
The Warriors can hope the actual rank is actually 1),3),2), but they recognize that’s irrational.
Warriors stated ranked preferences:
1) extension with no guarantees
2) QO (if JK won’t sign with no guarantees)
3) extension with 2+ years guaranteed
Kuminga hopes the actual rank is 1),3),2), and he’s almost certainly correct: Lacob can’t stand to lose him for little or nothing.
Prediction: Kuminga waits for the GSW to cave and offer a better contract (I give that 85% odds). If not, he signs QO.
You need to get informed ……. QO then trade means real money. This isn’t about money. Its about a career. He wants a place where he is part of future as a starter. All the money will come with that. He is 22 yrs old.