Can Warriors And Kuminga Reunite? Both Sides Must Agree

The Golden State Warriors find themselves at a familiar crossroads — stuck between honoring the past and embracing the future. And at the center of that delicate balancing act stands Jonathan Kuminga, a 22-year-old forward whose talent has never been questioned, but whose fit on the court has often been in flux.

After a rollercoaster season that saw him post career-highs and disappear from the rotation entirely, Kuminga now heads into restricted free agency. Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. made it clear this week: they want Kuminga back. But whether that happens depends on more than just a contract offer.

“It’s a two-way street,” Dunleavy said, describing the ongoing internal conversations about Kuminga’s future. “We value JK. We think he brings things to the table we really need. But there’s still a lot we need to figure out.”

That phrase — “two-way street” — captures the tension. The Warriors know they miscalculated how to reintegrate Kuminga into the lineup after a mid-season injury. He knows it, too. Now, both sides must decide if they can build something better together — or if it’s time to go their separate ways.

A Season of Highs, Lows, and Uncertainty

Kuminga’s 2024-25 season was anything but steady. Before his injury in January, he was starting to find his rhythm — scoring 34 points in back-to-back games against the Clippers and Suns, looking every bit like the explosive finisher the Warriors once hoped would be the future of their franchise.

Then came the ankle injury, and with it, a turning point. During his absence, the Warriors pulled the trigger on a major move: acquiring All-Star Jimmy Butler. The trade helped turn around their season, but it also fundamentally changed the roster Kuminga returned to.

By the time he came back in March, the team was different — more veteran-heavy, less experimental, and more desperate to lock in wins. Kuminga suddenly found himself on the outside looking in.

“When he came back, we were in playoff mode,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. “We had found something that was working, and we didn’t have the flexibility to tinker.”

The numbers tell part of the story. Kuminga played just 15 games after his return. In the final game of the regular season, he didn’t play at all.

Yet when opportunity knocked again — in the form of a hamstring injury to Stephen Curry during the second round of the playoffs — Kuminga delivered. He averaged 24.2 points in Games 2 through 5 against Minnesota, flashing the blend of power and finesse that still makes him such an intriguing prospect.

The Fit Issue: Square Peg, Round Hole

Kerr didn’t mince words when reflecting on the difficulty of slotting Kuminga into a team that had suddenly been reshaped around Butler.

“It felt like a square peg in a round hole,” Kerr said. “He was coming off an injury, out of rhythm, and we were already locked into a style that didn’t really include him.”

That honesty could sting, but it’s also grounded in the reality of trying to win with an aging core. The Warriors aren’t just trying to develop talent anymore — they’re trying to win one last title with Curry, Draymond Green, and now Butler.

Still, Kerr emphasized that the team is willing to re-evaluate how they use Kuminga next season — if he returns.

“If JK comes back, we’re going to make sure he’s part of the main rotation,” Kerr said. “That means playing him with Jimmy, Draymond, Steph — letting that group build chemistry. We didn’t have that chance this year.”

Why the Warriors Still Believe

Despite the challenges, both Kerr and Dunleavy sounded optimistic about the idea of Kuminga staying in San Francisco.

“We’re interested in bringing him back because the things he does — attacking the rim, drawing fouls, finishing in traffic — we need that,” Dunleavy said. “It’s not hypothetical. We’ve seen him do it.”

And it’s not just about athleticism. The Warriors know they have a homegrown player who has stuck it out for four years and matured through adversity.

“He’s grown. He’s learned. He’s been here a while now,” Dunleavy added. “We know him. He knows us. That counts for something.”

But familiarity alone won’t determine his fate. Money, role, and trust will. As a restricted free agent, Kuminga can sign with any team that has the cap space. The Warriors would have the right to match, but a sign-and-trade is also on the table.

Dunleavy, when asked about what kind of contract Kuminga might command, admitted it’s too early to tell.

“Honestly, I’d just be guessing,” he said. “There’s a lot that still needs to play out.”

Big Picture: One Last Run at a Title

The Warriors’ broader strategy is clear. They’re not rebuilding. They’re going all-in — one last time.

With Curry, Butler, and Green leading the charge, Dunleavy said the front office is prepared to make bold moves, even if it means sacrificing long-term assets.

“We’re good giving up whatever it takes,” Dunleavy said. “As long as we believe it actually makes us better. You just don’t want to be stuck if something goes wrong.”

The risk is real. Injuries, chemistry, regression — any of these could derail their plans. But for now, the team remains focused on finding complementary pieces, not dismantling the foundation.

“We’re not that far off,” Kerr said. “We were up 1-0 in the conference semis a week ago. We know what we’re capable of.”

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Can Kuminga Be Part of That Future

The big question now is whether Kuminga fits into this vision. Can he thrive as a fourth option behind Curry, Butler, and Green? Does he even want that role?

His playoff outburst against Minnesota suggests he’s capable of more. But the Warriors’ rotation is tight. Opportunities are limited. And players like Kuminga want — and deserve — to grow.

If Kuminga is looking for a team that will give him 30 minutes a night and the ball in his hands, he might have to look elsewhere. But if he still sees value in being part of a championship chase — and the Warriors are willing to make space for him — then there’s a path forward.

It’s just not a simple one.

Can Warriors and Kuminga Reunite Both Sides Must Agree

A Decision That Requires Trust

In the end, everything Dunleavy and Kerr said comes back to one idea: this decision can’t be made unilaterally. It requires buy-in from both sides.

Kuminga has to believe the Warriors will truly give him a role. The Warriors have to believe he’s committed to improving and adjusting. And both parties have to believe that this partnership, while imperfect, is still worth investing in.

It’s a two-way street. And right now, both cars are slowly approaching the intersection — waiting to see who turns, who accelerates, and who decides to go the other way.