The Golden State Warriors control Jonathan Kuminga's future, for now.
The young forward, following four seasons with the club, is entering the offseason with the ability to test the market, though Golden State has a team option.
Restricted free agency means Kuminga can aim to sign a deal for as much money as he possibly can, though the Warriors can match the offer and return his services to the Bay Area.
Given the current nature of the NBA, which punishes overspending, it could make it hard for the Warriors to warrant matching a high salary for Kuminga.
The G League Ignite product is less worried about finances than he is about on-court opportunity, which is another reason Golden State could look to sign-and-trade Kuminga.
With Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler leading the way, there isn't much room for Kuminga to blossom into the star player he has the potential to be.
That's what Kuminga wants, too. He wants to be an All-Star player, relied upon by his team. He recently said so himself.
“I feel like I’m at the point where that has to be my priority, to just be one of the guys a team relies on. Aiming to be an All-Star. Multiple times," Kuminga said, according to The Athletic. "Aiming to be great. … Wherever I’m going to be at, it don’t matter if it’s the Warriors or if it’s anywhere else, it’s something I want. I want to see what I could do. I know I got it. So I want to really see. I’ve never got that chance.”
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
Kuminga was honest in the fact that he hasn't had the chance to blossom during his four-year career with the Warriors.
This past season was his best opportunity, though a two-month absence with an ankle injury and the arrival of Butler were major roadblocks to that happening.
Finding a team that isn't comprised of older stars aiming to capture a title could very well be Kuminga's best option at this point in his career.
A young, raw team where he can explore his game, get a high usage rate and eventually get paid while improving his productivity would be a brilliant career move, and the Warriors can use a sign-and-trade to further build out their roster in a positive manner.