Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga reportedly doesn’t plan on participating in FIBA AfroBasket 2025 — a move that underscores the tension of his ongoing contract stalemate with the team.
Kuminga understands the idea of risk and reward. And as trade speculation swirls around his name, he’s choosing caution over exposure.
According to Marc Stein, Kuminga has returned home to Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. While he was listed on the national team’s preliminary roster, he reportedly won’t suit up for AfroBasket this summer.
“I’m told Kuminga is not expected to play for his national team due to his ongoing restricted free agency stalemate with Golden State,” Stein wrote.
Warriors Forward Avoiding International Risk
Stein’s report contrasts with African media coverage, which has kept Kuminga in the conversation for the Congo squad. However, the logic behind sitting out is sound. AfroBasket, while prestigious, comes with international intensity and injury risk — two things Kuminga can’t afford while in limbo with the Warriors.
“With no end in sight to Kuminga’s ongoing restricted free agency stalemate with Golden State, playing international basketball this summer would come with obvious injury risk,” Stein added.
Instead, Kuminga seems focused on preserving his leverage as negotiations — and potential sign-and-trade discussions — remain stalled.
Golden State May Have Seen the Last of Kuminga
Ellen Schmidt/Getty ImageAs the NBA offseason drags on, forward Jonathan Kuminga’s future with the Golden State Warriors remains uncertain.
Kuminga played the fewest games of his career last season, but his production stayed consistent with his 2024 breakout. Even so, the Warriors don’t appear ready to hand him the reins.
With Jimmy Butler joining the roster and Stephen Curry still at the center of the offense, Kuminga’s path to stardom in Golden State has only narrowed. Head coach Steve Kerr benched him late in the season, and there’s been little indication of a shift in direction.
Kuminga, however, believes he’s ready for more.
“Kuminga, league sources said, still has visions of becoming an All-Star,” Anthony Slater wrote. “Not fitting into an ever-moving mid-tier rotation role. He wants to be a featured player in an NBA offense and chase the 20-point-and-beyond dreams he’s spent his life chasing.”
Whether or not he’s earned that status is still up for debate. But one thing is clear: Kuminga doesn’t want to wait behind an aging core. And with the Warriors focused on maximizing what’s left of the Curry era, it’s becoming increasingly likely Kuminga will continue his career elsewhere.
It’s a risk — leaving a championship-caliber team in hopes of becoming the centerpiece somewhere else. But for Kuminga, the reward might just be the freedom to finally prove he’s more than a role player.
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