With their loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of their second-round series on Wednesday night, the Golden State Warriors’ season has come to a disappointing end.
Golden State entered Wednesday’s road contest in a must-win situation after they had dropped three consecutive games, including both matchups at home at the Chase Center.
Unfortunately for the Warriors, their struggles continued in the round as they were still without their star point guard Stephen Curry who remained sidelined due to injury.
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry celebrates with Jimmy Butler III after a play against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry celebrates with Jimmy Butler III after a play against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.
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Minnesota was too much of a test for Golden State without Curry as the Timberwolves advance to their second consecutive Western Conference Finals while the Warriors’ offseason begins earlier than planned.
Of course, the main storyline for the Warriors entering the offseason is the impending free agency of their young forward Jonathan Kuminga.
Kuminga came up big down the stretch in the second round against Minnesota as he was arguably the Warriors’ best player in the series after leading them in points.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr talks to forward Jonathan Kuminga.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr talks to forward Jonathan Kuminga.
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This came after head coach Steve Kerr decided to bench him earlier in the playoffs, which could end up leading to his departure from the team in the offseason.
On Thursday, Warriors’ insider Anthony Slater released a major report that now has Kuminga’s future in Golden State in serious doubt.
According to Slater, Kuminga and the Warriors are expected to explore sign-and-trade scenarios in the offseason.
While this has been expected since Kuminga was benched earlier in the playoffs, it now appears as though Kuminga’s time in The Bay is nearing an end.
Of course, the young forward is a restricted free agent this summer and there have been multiple reports saying that Golden State does not want to give him the contract that he wants.
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00)
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00)
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Pair that with his inconsistent role in the rotation and the amount of interest other teams are expected to show in him and it adds up to him likely being on a new team at some point this summer.