SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State’s offseason has been defined by uncertainty. The front office remains locked in a contract stalemate with Jonathan Kuminga. That impasse has left most plans frozen.
How Stephen Curry And Co Privately View The Warriors Offseason
Last season, the Warriors reshaped their roster by adding Jimmy Butler to Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The trio showed immediate chemistry. Many expect them to build on that second-round exit to Minnesota, where Curry’s injury derailed momentum.
Still, with training camp weeks away, the Warriors offseason has barely begun.
Negotiations Hit a Wall
According to Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of ESPN, Warriors owner Joe Lacob and GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. offered Kuminga a three-year, $75.2 million contract with a team option.
Kuminga’s camp countered with a three-year, $82 million structure that included a player option. Both proposals were rejected. The back-and-forth has dragged deep into September, leaving Golden State short on clarity.
Kuminga averaged 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds last season. His production and youth keep him central to the team’s future plans as either a building block or a trade piece. The Warriors now face pressure to either find common ground or risk starting the season with unresolved tension.
The Stars Stay Patient
Despite the slow pace, Curry, Butler, and Green have not pushed behind the scenes. “They know the strategy, sources said, and have approved that anticipated result,” wrote Charania and Slater.
Butler and Green have reportedly reached out to Kuminga directly, checking on his mindset and long-term vision. Curry, Butler and Green’s support suggests a trust in the Warriors’ offseason plans.
Targets Beyond Kuminga
Golden State still intends to strengthen its depth once the Kuminga deal clears. The front office has discussed using the taxpayer mid-level exception.
Veterans Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II, and Seth Curry effectively form the team’s waiting room. The Warriors will be capped at the first apron once they use their mid-level exception.
So nothing can move until the Kuminga domino falls. Every signing waits on the resolution of his contract.
Eyes on the Future
Kuminga was the seventh pick in the 2021 draft. He has career averages of 12.5 points and 4.0 rebounds. His growth remains vital to Golden State’s chances of extending their competitive window.
This Warriors offseason has tested patience but also reinforced the franchise’s unity. Once Kuminga’s deal is resolved, expect rapid movement to round out the roster.
For now, Golden State’s big three remain calm. They know the path. They are waiting for the first domino to fall.
Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
