The Golden State Warriors really saw their title odds enhance after acquiring Jimmy Butler. The team played excellent basketball to end the regular season with him in the lineup. Unfortunately, after losing Stephen Curry with a hamstring injury, they fell in the second round to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games.
Knowing they will have Butler for a full season, but also aware they have an aging roster, the Warriors have some tough decisions to make with their upcoming free agents. Here are predictions on whether or not their key free agents will remain on Golden State next season.
Stay Or Go? Predicting What Happens With Warriors Free Agents
Jonathan Kuminga (Restricted) – Leave
Averaging 15.3 points in the regular season, it was surprising to see Jonathan Kuminga out of the rotation towards the end. The 22-year-old appeared in only two of the seven postseason games in the first round and didn’t play in the play-in contest nor the important regular season finale. Now, he performed well in the second round, but who knows how much action he would have seen had Curry not gone down.
The seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Kuminga is probably looking to move on, especially after head coach Steve Kerr didn’t trust him in numerous key games. As a restricted free agent, perhaps a sign-and-trade could occur to allow him the opportunity to to excel in a new surrounding.
Kevon Looney – Stay
Now 10 years deep into his NBA career, all with the Warriors, Kevon Looney is set to enter unrestricted free agency. The 29-year-old center has been a member of their three most recent championship teams.
While his 15 minutes per game was his lowest in five years, Golden State surely loves Looney’s leadership. Standing at 6-foot-9, he is still a stellar rebounder on both the offensive and defensive ends. He remained a part of the rotation in the postseason. While the team may look to get younger around their star players, expect Looney back on a somewhat cheap deal.
Gary Payton II – Leave
As mentioned, the Warriors may look to get younger around the edges. While Steve Kerr inserted Gary Payton II into the starting lineup for Games 6 and 7 of the opening round, he will turn 33 years old on December 1. The nine-year veteran did appear in 62 games, nearly more than the previous two years combined (66).
Just like his father, Payton II makes an impact on the defensive end. When on the court, he is often tasked with guarding the opposition’s best perimeter player. Due to the age and injury concerns though, the Warriors may decide to let him join another team.
Quinten Post (Team Option) – Stay
The 52nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Quinten Post entered the Warriors rotation permanently in mid January. His 2025-26 club option is for slightly less than $2 million, making it a no-brainer to pick up.
The 7-footer proved to be a stretch big, connecting on 40.8% of his three-point tries in the regular season. Post could potentially see himself on the All-Rookie Second Team once that is announced.
Gui Santos (Team Option) – Stay
Selected 53rd overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, Gui Santos played sparingly as a rookie in 2023-24. The 22-year-old played much more this season, and has a very reasonable team option worth around $2.2 million for 2025-26.
Playing 13.6 minutes per contest, Santos posted averages of 4.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. He had six games of at least 13 points in the regular season. While he didn’t play a lot, he shot 4-10 from beyond the arc in this year’s playoffs.
Photo credit: © Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
