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Golden State Warriors
Aug 4, 2025 1:53 PM EDT
The Golden State Warriors’ offseason has been dominated by the unresolved standoff with forward Jonathan Kuminga. After a 2024-25 season where he averaged 15.3 points per game, Kuminga declined the team’s two-year, $45 million offer, citing issues with the second-year team option and the lack of a no-trade clause.
Kuminga has also drawn interest from other teams—most notably the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns—but Golden State has shut down all trade discussions, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The franchise has instead chosen to wait, leaving major offseason decisions on hold, including the potential signing of veteran big man Al Horford, who remains a free agent.
Kuminga Set to Stay With the Golden State Warriors
With the Warriors determined to stand their ground on the Kuminga saga, and the 6-foot-7 forward yet to accept their terms or the $7.9 million qualifying offer, all signs point to one likely scenario – Kuminga remaining a Warrior for at least one more season.
According to Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard, Golden State has no plans to trade Kuminga for the bare minimum this summer. He is expected to return to the Warriors’ roster—either by signing their current offer or accepting the qualifying offer.
“The word I got when I checked in with a Warriors source on Sunday: Kuminga won’t be traded this summer,” Kawakami wrote. “He’ll be back on the Warriors’ roster to start the season. And it’ll either come when he signs the Warriors’ offer or accepts the $7.9 million one-year qualifying offer.”
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00). — Source: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
The Warriors refusing to budge on their Kuminga stance means they will maintain the flexibility needed to make other moves that have been on hold — like the signing of Boston Celtics free agent Al Horford.
What the New Jonathan Kuminga Report Means for Al Horford
As it stands, it appears that the Warriors’ signing of Horford could be happening sooner than later. ESPN’s Anthony Slater noted towards the end of last month that Golden State identified Horford as its main target for a stretch-shooting center since the start of the offseason. However, his decision was believed to hinge on how the Kuminga situation played out.
ESPN’s Marc Spears also recently noted that even players like Gary Payton II are waiting to see what Kuminga decides, further illustrating how his contract saga is impacting the entire roster.
“I saw Gary Payton II two days ago. I’m like, what’s going on? He’s like waiting on [Jonathan Kuminga]. He is, Al Horford is.”
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With Kuminga presumably set to return next season, and seemingly under the Warriors’ financial terms, the team will retain cap flexibility and avoid losing a core piece for nothing. It also positions them to move quickly on Horford or similar targets to solidify their frontcourt. If Kuminga opts for the qualifying offer, Golden State keeps his rights but risks future complications with trade leverage.
Either way, the outcome of this standoff will likely shape how the Warriors enter training camp—and whether they can maximize what may be the final competitive window of the Stephen Curry era.
About the Author
Ayomide Adeduyite
Trending News Writer, Athlon Sports
Ayomide Adeduyite is a contributing writer for the Athlon Sports trending and breaking news team.