The Golden State Warriors advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs before losing in five games to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Golden State won Game 1 but lost Stephen Curry to a hamstring injury during the game and then dropped the next four matchups.
Jonathan Kuminga was the main player who stepped up in Curry’s absence, but the four-year forward’s future with the team is uncertain heading into free agency.
Jonathan Kuminga’s RFA Status Clouds Future With the Warriors
The Warriors drafted Kuminga with the seventh overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft and signed him to a four-year, $24.85 million rookie contract. They picked up both team options in 2023 and 2024 but have been waiting for the forward to take the next step.
Kuminga showed flashes last season, averaging career-highs in points (16.1), rebounds (4.8), and assists (2.2). But he missed 31 games this season with an ankle injury and couldn’t quite match those numbers, averaging 15.3 points in 47 games.
As a restricted free agent, Kuminga can’t freely sign elsewhere. He was in and out of the rotation this season and hopes his strong play after Curry’s injury will either land him a bigger role in Golden State or a better deal with another team.
The Athletic’s Anthony Slater wrote about Kuminga’s future, noting three competing agendas: Kuminga’s, the win-now core’s, and the front office’s.
Slater noted that Kuminga believes he can be an All-Star and showed that upside in the final four games of the season. Without Curry, Kuminga averaged 24.3 points per game (including 30 in Game 3) on 54.8% shooting while playing 31 minutes per game.
Slater also highlighted Warriors owner Joe Lacob’s belief in Kuminga, noting that Lacob was courtside for the Minnesota series and invited Kuminga to sit with him at the Golden State Valkyries’ inaugural WNBA game.
This was a clear message that Lacob wants to keep Kuminga in the fold, though Slater said Kuminga’s comfort level depends on “several factors” and there’s a month of conversations ahead.
Kuminga can sign an offer sheet with another team, but the Warriors have the right to match. If they do, Kuminga would be locked in for years to come. Even then, he could negotiate a new deal, potentially getting more than expected.
The Warriors seem eager to keep him, but it’s not a simple situation and will be one to watch during the offseason.
