The Golden State Warriors are facing a major offseason, and Jonathan Kuminga might just be at the forefront of those decisions.
With Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler at the helm, the Warriors have the juice to compete for an NBA title in the coming season.
However, Golden State must make proper offseason moves to build around the trio properly. Whether it be size or floor spacing, general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. needs to make improvements.
With Jonathan Kuminga having played out his rookie contract, it's time for the club to either offer him an extended contract, utilize a sign-and-trade or let him walk in restricted free agency.
After a tumultuous final couple of months of the recent NBA season, it seemed that the Warriors and Kuminga were headed towards a divorce.
Jonathan Kuminga
Jan 12, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) dribbles during the first half against the Chicago Bulls at United Center.
© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The G League Ignite product wants a bigger role. The Warriors have a lead trio, making it difficult to offer a bigger role.
Still, a return isn't out of the cards, and has even "gained some momentum" ahead of the offseason kicking off, according to Clutch Points' Brett Siegel.
"Jonathan Kuminga returning to the Warriors has gained some momentum," Siegel reported on X. "Kuminga has been taking his offseason training very seriously and is seeking a much larger role next season, wherever he is. The Warriors will explore sign-and-trade routes as well."
In all honesty, the Warriors can shop Kuminga in sign-and-trade scenarios all they want. If they decide the return isn't worth a move quite yet, it makes sense for a return to gain momentum.
The young forward has plenty of potential, still, and isn't worth losing for free for Golden State, who can instead opt to try and maximize his value.
Kuminga meshing with Butler and Curry while bringing a large impact on both sides of the ball could very well help elevate their potential as a squad.
Those pairings take time, too, and they've all shared the court on a limited scale.