The Golden State Warriors failed to make an impact in the postseason. They had a talented roster but could not deliver results. Head coach Steve Kerr relied heavily on his veteran players. Because of that, he struggled to get the best out of the rest of the team. As a result, young forward Jonathan Kuminga saw limited minutes throughout the season. After the Warriors’ early exit, Draymond Green spoke about Kuminga’s situation and highlighted his true potential.
“…we all have our peaks and our valleys. And the reality is, what he said is correct. I love the way he handled it. One thing’s for certain — I said this in my exit interview — whether it’s here or somewhere else, he’s going to get paid, and he’s going to have a very bright future,” stated Draymond Green on his podcast.
Despite not having many opportunities throughout the season, Jonathan Kuminga took advantage of his moment in the postseason. After Stephen Curry suffered an injury in the conference semifinals, Kuminga stepped in and delivered. He played five games and averaged 20.8 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. This performance surpassed anything he had shown in previous seasons. As a result, he proved his true potential in the Warriors’ system.
Following his strong showing under pressure, the Warriors expressed interest in renewing the young star’s contract. According to Spotrac, his deal expires at the end of this 2024-25 season. Furthermore, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer revealed that Jonathan rejected a five-year offer worth $150 million showcasing that he has no intention of signing a renewal.
Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Chase Center on May 12, 2025 in San Francisco, California.
Moreover, Fischer explained that Kuminga believes he can receive better offers on the market. Therefore, his salary expectations now exceed what the Warriors are prepared to pay. This makes his return to the team very unlikely. The only viable path would be a sign-and-trade agreement. According to Anthony Slater, both parties remain open to exploring that option.
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Jonathan’s potential departure has hit Warriors fans hard. Many blame Steve Kerr for allowing the situation to escalate. Throughout the season, he left the young star out of the rotation for long stretches. As a result, it makes sense for him to feel reluctant about coming back. Especially since there is a risk the same scenario could repeat. Nevertheless, no one has officially ruled out any scenario, and a decision could come at any moment.
