Here’s a feature on the Warriors’ potential offseason move to reunite with a versatile $25 million wing:
Golden State Eyes Big Reunion: Could a $25 Million Wing Be Back?
The Pitch
As NBA free agency tip‑off approaches, speculation swirls around the Warriors rekindling a partnership with a familiar $25 million wing. That player? Jonathan Kuminga. A restricted free agent fresh off a one-year deal worth about $24.9 million, Kuminga ticks all the boxes for Golden State’s immediate and long-term needs (sportingnews.com).
Why Kuminga Makes Sense
- Athleticism & Two‑Way Upside: At 22, Kuminga offers a rare combo of elite athleticism, defensive flexibility, and offensive burst—exactly what the Warriors lack off the bench .
- Familiarity Breeds Value: Already embedded in the Kerr-Dunleavy era, Kuminga wouldn’t need time to adjust. He understands the system, the culture, and meshes well with Curry, Butler, and Draymond (sfchronicle.com).
- Financially Strategic: Golden State tendered a $7.9 million qualifying offer, retaining matching rights. But typical offers from contenders may push to the mid‑20s, making a sign‑and‑trade the most feasible route to glean value without letting him walk (sfchronicle.com).
Industry Buzz & Insider Scoop
- Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey projects Kuminga walking in a sign‑and‑trade. He notes the Warriors “can’t afford to let him walk for nothing” and a deal would bring in return value, even if it introduces a hard cap next season (athlonsports.com).
- Sporting News and Times of India paint a scenario where Brooklyn could lead the interest, offering wings like Cam Johnson or Dorian Finney‑Smith in hypothetical trade packages (sportingnews.com).
- The Athletic/ESPN indicate Golden State lacks lower-echelon tradable assets beyond Kuminga, and his contract situation could unlock flexibility, especially if they aim to later pursue a starting center or other free agents (espn.com.sg).
What Golden State Needs
The Warriors are crystal clear: size, shooting, and athleticism. Their frontcourt underperformed against bigger, switch-heavy opponents, and their wing rotation lacks an explosive, two-way presence off the bench (sfchronicle.com).
Kuminga offers that versatility—able to defend multiple positions, slash to the rim, and occasionally pop from deep. But his fit is complicated by his expected contract demands and the Warriors’ tight payroll structure.
Countermoves & Competition
Other unrestricted free agents the Warriors are reportedly chasing include Malik Beasley, Brook Lopez, Gary Payton II, and Tyus Jones—all cheaper but vastly different in skillset . While Lopez or a veteran center could stabilize their interior, none match Kuminga’s age-upside dynamic.
The Hang‑Ups
- Cap Constraints: Locked in near the luxury-tax apron, Golden State can use sign‑and‑trades or exceptions—but a straight market-matching deal for Kuminga could handcuff them .
- Asset Limitations: Trading Kuminga means parting with their best young asset. With limited draft assets left, GM Mike Dunleavy faces tough choices .
- Player’s Desire: Kuminga might relish staying with a contender heading into his prime, knowing Golden State offers continuity and competitive opportunity.
Forecast: Reunion or Departure?
- If re‑signed directly: Looks unlikely due to contract inflation.
- If re‑acquired via sign‑and‑trade: Probable scenario—Warriors retain him, preserve cap flexibility, and net a quality role player in return.
- If they let him walk: They’d likely use the mid-level exception on more affordable depth pieces, shifting focus to veteran wings or interior additions.
With June 30th mark looming and offer sheets possible, the Warriors must decide fast: pay the premium to keep Kuminga, trade him for draft or rotation talent, or pivot to cheaper fits.
In Summary
Jonathan Kuminga is the ideal “versatile $25 million wing”—young, dynamic, and a cultural fit. But Golden State’s cap limitations push them toward a sign‑and‑trade route. That move lets them recoup value while pursuing complementary pieces, but could alter team structure. His outcome may define the Warriors’ offseason—remain elite or retool.
