The NBA hasn’t seen an offseason this dramatic in years. On one side, the Kawhi Leonard–Clippers controversy continues to pile pressure on the league. On the other hand, the Jonathan Kuminga saga plays out like an unending soap opera with no season finale in sight. All signs now point to Kuminga accepting the $7.9 million qualifying offer for the 2025-26 season. His Warriors future may not be on the clock just yet, but Mike Dunleavy’s move to land Al Horford could complicate Kuminga’s hopes of cementing a spot in the starting five.

Recently, Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, joined 95.7 The Game and clarified the 22-year-old forward’s desires. “He wants a chance to start every night, finish every night. He wants to be a focal point of the team. That’s not a secret. That’s something he works for,” Turner clarified. Now, this is where the Warriors star meets with a reality check. Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor tweet on Friday might be an eye-opener, if nothing else.

“I just don’t see how that happens in Golden State. Let’s assume Horford goes there,” O’Connor wrote. “A lineup of Curry, Horford, Butler, Draymond, and Kuminga doesn’t provide enough spacing. Even if you’re a believer in Kuminga, no denying he’s a poor fit with the existing core Warriors pieces.”

Let’s understand what the Golden State Warriors’ starting lineup could look like without Al Horford in the upcoming season:

• Stephen Curry (PG)
• Brandin Podziemski (SG)
• Buddy Hield (SF)
• Jimmy Butler (PF)
• Draymond Green (C)

Meanwhile, if Horford signs, then keeping Steph in his position, Podz, and Buddy could be switched for shooting guard. Butler could play three, and Draymond Green would play the natural forward position that he is. And of course, the ex-Boston Celtics big man would be the center. Thus, once again, Jonathan Kuminga would fall into the rotation, with a minimal scope of opening the game unless there’s an untimely injury.

Steve Kerr’s comments last season on Jonathan Kuminga’s reduced role after Jimmy Butler’s arrival still echo heading into 2025-26. Kerr made it clear that winning lineups would always take priority, even if it meant shelving Kuminga for spacing reasons. With Butler firmly in the fold and Draymond Green still anchoring the defense, those same lineup challenges remain. Unless Kuminga drastically improves his game and adaptability, it’s hard to see Kerr shifting from the formula that produced a 17-3 surge in Kuminga’s absence.

In fact, in both ideal situations, JK doesn’t fit the existing Warriors core, as Kevin O’Connor explained. Therefore, it brings us back to the main question: If Kuminga doesn’t accept the qualifying offer by October 1, will he opt for a sign-and-trade? Or will he ask the front office to let him go?

What does Jonathan Kuminga truly want at this point in his NBA career?

The Warriors drafted him 7th in 2021. And in his rookie season, he won the championship with them. So, does he want to stay with the team? Aaron Turner says Jonathan Kuminga understands his situation, and he’s open to it. “The Warriors are the organization that drafted him. Of course, he’d love to stay with one team his whole career. His favorite player, his idol, is Kobe Bryant. That’s what he did, if it’s possible. But of course, he wants a bigger role,” Kuminga’s agent clarified.

Turner also mentioned that the player option is “super important” for the 22-year-old forward. “JK is clearly the guy that needs to sacrifice here for this to work,” Turner also said. Meanwhile, reports say, Kuminga had his hands on a tempting deal, first a two-year package worth over $40 million. When the Golden State Warriors sweetened it with a third year, the value crossed $70 million. Yet the absence of a player option turned him away. For him, the contract matters. But the role matters more. Dollars alone cannot buy conviction.

Five years and 258 games later, Kuminga wants his leap. Only 84 starts, yet in 2023–24 he grabbed 46 of them, averaging 26 minutes. He thrived with 16.1 points at 53 percent shooting, 4.8 boards, and 2.2 assists. He matched those numbers again as a reserve. With Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and now Jimmy Butler, he knows the importance but craves hierarchy.

Jonathan Kuminga stands at a cliff edge, staring at two different worlds. Jimmy Butler wants to know about it as well. On one side lies loyalty, the badge of being drafted by Golden State and chasing Kobe’s one-team dream. On the other sits hunger, the need for minutes, for touches, for a spotlight that proves his evolution. The Warriors can keep him, but only if they let him climb. Otherwise, the saga writes its own twist.