The Golden State Warriors offseason starts with a decision on Jonathan Kuminga‘s future.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Monday, June 23, that the Warriors are “seemingly certain to receive sign-and-trade approaches for restricted free agent-to-be Jonathan Kuminga.”
Speaking to reporters on Monday ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft later this week, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. spoke at length about Kuminga’s future.
“I think we’re in a good spot with it, honestly,” Dunleavy told reporters. “We have the ability to bring him back. He’s restricted. I think there will be good dialogue. I’d like to figure something out sooner rather than later. That would be great.”
But that’s easier said than done in a depressed free agent market where only the Brooklyn Nets have the most cap room to tender a large offer sheet at Kuminga. The Athletic earlier reported that the Nets are not going to do that.
“I also acknowledge, with restricted free agency, these things can drag out a little bit and take some time,” Dunleavy added. “I think we feel pretty comfortable with who JK is as a player and what he can do for our organization. … It’s a main priority going into free agency.”
With Kuminga entering a pivotal offseason, he’s blocked out the outside noise as he awaits what’s next in his young career.
The 22-year-old Warriors forward has limited who can comment on his Instagram account as he posted several photos of himself working out.
Jonathan Kuminga Seeks Bigger Role
In his final four games of the season, Kuminga averaged 24.3 points on 55.4% overall shooting and 38.9% from the 3-point line. But his explosion came after Stephen Curry was sidelined to a strained calf. He was a DNP when the Warriors were healthy in the playoffs.
Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto reported on June 16 that Kuminga is “looking for an expanded and consistent role moving forward.
But Warriors coach Steve Kerr has made himself clear he can’t do that with the current makeup of the team and their win-now window.
“I’ve been asked to win,” Kerr told The San Francisco Standard’s Tim Kawakami on “The TK Show” on Wednesday, May 21. “And right now, he’s not a guy who I can say, I’m going to play 38 minutes with the roster we have, Steph [Curry], Jimmy [Butler], and Draymond [Green], and put the puzzle together that way and expect to win.”
2 Teams Linked to Jonathan Kuminga
With the Nets out of the picture, two teams have emerged as potential landing spots for Kuminga.
“The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are two teams to monitor as potential sign-and-trade candidates for Kuminga, league sources told HoopsHype. With that in mind, the Warriors have also not ruled out the possibility of retaining Kuminga, sources said,” Scotto wrote.
NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer also reported the Heat’s viability as Kuminga suitor.
“Maybe Miami, for example, would make a sign-and-trade run at Kuminga in the event that the Heat don’t win the trade race to acquire the league’s No. 8 all-time leading scorer. Sources say Miami has registered a level of interest in Kuminga in previous transaction cycles,” Stein and Fischer wrote on “The Stein Line” Substack newsletter.
The Heat lost out in the Durant sweepstakes. Will they now pivot to Kuminga?
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Warriors Receive Early Jonathan Kuminga Sign-&-Trade Warning appeared first on Heavy Sports.