The Golden State Warriors are looking to get back to the postseason after missing entirely a year ago. They lost All-Star guard Klay Thompson this offseason but added multiple depth pieces that they feel fit well around their roster.
It’s worked so far as the Warriors have started hot out of the gates. Golden State still has star guard Steph Curry and forward Draymond Green leading the charge, giving them some credibility on the court.
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But it’s the role pieces that will ultimately determine how the season goes. One of the more important players on this team is forward Jonathan Kuminga.
Kuminga has emerged for the Warriors in recent years but he is entering into restricted free agency next summer. He has wanted a max-level contract from the Warriors but so far, Golden State hasn’t been willing to meet him at his asking price.
This has led many to believe that the Warriors could either move Kuminga or allow him to test free agency. If he does enter the free agent market, there may be a team that already has interest in his services.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 23: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket on Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the second quarter at Chase Center on December 23, 2021 in San Francisco, California. Kuminga could see interest from an Eastern Conference team this summer.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, the Brooklyn Nets could be a player in the Kuminga services.
“The Nets are going to be a stalking horse for everyone,” Fischer said. “There’s already been rumblings of Brooklyn potentially willing to throw a big offer sheet at Jonathan Kuminga.”
Brooklyn will lose the massive contract of guard Ben Simmons at the end of the year, freeing up a lot of money to spend in free agency. If they view Kuminga highly, they could throw a large offer sheet at him and the Warriors may not be willing to match it.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has been hard on the young forward over his career but he knows how talented Kuminga can be.
“He’s still so young, if this were 20 years ago, 30 years ago, he would have just finished his fourth year of college or his rookie year in the NBA,” Kerr continued. “When you throw all that stuff in, I love where JK is right now because he’s gotten so much better, but he still has room for growth which is the exciting part. So, I’ve talked to him about this upcoming year and what the expectations are. I’m excited about it, he’s excited about it, he loves it here, he’s told me that.”
While it remains to be seen what will happen with Kuminga, the Warriors could have some competition this summer for him.
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