Jonathan Kuminga’s future with the Warriors has been the subject of heavy speculation this summer, and now two of the league’s biggest personalities are getting involved. According to Dalton Johnson, both Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler have personally checked in on the young forward, with Butler even reaching out to the Warriors directly to ask about the team’s plans.
“In that ESPN article, they mentioned that Draymond and Jimmy have checked in and reached out to Jonathan Kuminga,” Johnson said on ‘Dubs Talk.’ “I can confidently say that Jimmy Butler has also reached out to the team and been like, ‘What’s going on? I just wanted to know the plan.’”
It’s normal for team leaders to check in with the front office, and accountability is especially important for a Warriors squad under so much pressure to win. As one of the more experienced teams, they are firmly in the championship picture next season with a stacked roster of veterans and proven stars (including four-time champion and two-time MVP Stephen Curry). The time to win is now, and the confidence is showing with every prominent member of the crew.
Still, with teams like the Thunder and Timberwolves, the Warriors need all the help they can get, and the leaders are doing their part to ensure the front office stays active. Whether that means figuring out the drama in free agency or simply sharing their vision for greatness, they want everyone on the same page.
Fortunately, the Dubs built a lot of momentum going into the 2025 playoffs, and it has given them faith in their potential next season. After adding Butler at the deadline, they went 23-7 and advanced to the Western Semifinals. While they were knocked out by the Timberwolves in the second round, the franchise believes they can contend for a title as presently constructed.
That elimination has now been shadowed by the ongoing standoff with Jonathan Kuminga, which threatens to destabilize the future. The young swingman has held up their entire free agent process, and remains unsigned with a few weeks to go before training camp.
While Kuminga wants a longer contract with a player option (at least $30 million per year), the Warriors are only willing to offer a team option that will give them more control over his future. Despite averaging 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game on 45.4% shooting last season, the Warriors haven’t seen enough to concede on his current contract demands.
The result has been a stalemate that has turned the Warriors’ future from hopeful to uncertain. Without confirmation on what the Kuminga situation will look like, the Warriors have no clear plan and no concrete vision heading into next season. The negotiations have already affected the locker room, causing some concern among the fans and players.
The question is, will pressure from Butler and Draymond be enough to end the standoff? If not, we could see morale crumble as the season begins, and it could have lingering effects on team chemistry. For now, all that Butler and Draymond can do is wait and see how it all plays out. Even without Kuminga, they will not lose faith in their chances to win it all.
At the end of the day, the Warriors have the talent to compete, but they need clarity before they can truly move forward. Jonathan Kuminga’s future is the missing piece, and until it’s resolved, the team will remain stuck between potential and uncertainty. For Golden State, the sooner this standoff ends, the better their shot at keeping their championship window open.
