Warriors’ Offseason Set to Spark With Incoming Veteran Duo: Insider

The Golden State Warriors‘ quiet offseason is expected to end with fireworks.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, two of the remaining top free agents are lined up to sign with the Warriors after all is said and done.

“I appeared Tuesday on 95.7 (FM) The Game in the Bay Area and will repeat here what I said there: We are indeed three full weeks into free agency now, but I still expect Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton to wind up in Golden State when their signing commitments are made public and official,” Stein wrote on his Substack newsletter “The Stein Line” on July 20.

Horford has been linked to the Warriors since the NBA free agency began, while Melton thrived next to franchise star Stephen Curry in their backcourt last season before an ill-timed ACL injury kept him out for the rest of the season.

Stein added that the Warriors’ free agency business has been held up in large part by their ongoing stalemate with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga.

Wide Gap Between Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga

The Warriors and Kuminga’s representative held several meetings during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.

But a wide gap remains between the two parties in contract negotiations and finding a resolution to the stalemate.

“His agent Aaron Turner has held numerous discussions with Warriors officials in Las Vegas, league sources tell The Stein Line, with the hope of securing a contract — even a short-term contract — that pays at least $25 million in average annual salary … whether that’s to stay with the Warriors or switch teams via sign-and-trade,” Fischer wrote on “The Stein Line” Substack newsletter on July 17.

The Warriors “have expressed reluctance to go that high in price over a long-term agreement,” Fischer added, citing league sources.

The final figure in a new contract for Kuminga will also matter to the team that will trade for him because of a quirk in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Only 50% of his outgoing salary counts for matching purposes. But his full salary counts as the incoming salary for whichever team acquires him.

Because if Kuminga signs for $25 million annual average salary, the Warriors can only trade him for a player or players worth just $12.5 million. Their trade partner, on the other hand, will absorb the full $25 million in their books.

Al Horford to Fill Stretch Center Void

GettyAl Horford to fill the Warriors’ need for a stretch center. 

The Warriors have been looking for a stretch center even before losing Kevon Looney to the New Orleans Pelicans in free agency.

Horford, who shot 36.3% from the 3-point range last season, is what the Warriors have been looking for.

Golden State general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. made it clear during a recent interview in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas that they need a stretch center.

“I think we learned a lot about the team this past year, especially since we’ve added Jimmy [Butler],” Dunleavy told ESPN’s Katie George during halftime of the Warriors’ NBA Summer League opener in Las Vegas on July 11. “We feel like we have a group going forward that’s going to be pretty good. What do we need to add? I think from that standpoint, we want to look to the frontcourt to add some shooting, in the backcourt some defense.

“Offensively, guys that can shoot, pass and dribble. There’s tons of needs, but I think we’ve zeroed in on some areas that we can address. As the summer unfolds, we’ll continue to try and do that.”

Horford has been playing that stretch role for the Boston Celtics for the past four seasons, winning one championship in 2024.

The 39-year-old Horford averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists while making nearly two 3-pointers per game.

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