The Golden State Warriors finished the 2024–25 season with more questions than answers. Despite Stephen Curry’s brilliance, they couldn’t find the chemistry needed to make a deep playoff run. Injuries, inconsistency, and contract issues hung over them like a cloud. Now, as July heats up, the front office is under pressure to retool around their aging stars. Now, with the offseason unusually quiet, many are wondering if the front office is planning something or simply stuck in uncertainty.

How has the offseason looked for the team so far? The Warriors saw Kevon Looney leave without a trade, and Gary Payton II’s future remains unclear. Rumors swirled around possible moves for veterans like Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton, but no deals have been finalized. Instead, the front office traded down in the draft, picking up lesser-known names at 52 and 59. With financial limits near the second tax apron. And just when things seemed to calm down, Jonathan Kuminga’s name has sparked fresh headlines, hinting that another twist may be on the way.

Suddenly, the buzz grew louder when Phoenix emerged as a possible destination for Kuminga. “Sources say Phoenix, meanwhile, is the latest team to express exploratory interest in a Kuminga sign-and-trade,” reported Jake Fischer. The Suns just completed a Bradley Beal buyout and have reportedly reached out to both Kuminga’s camp and the Warriors. Phoenix radio host John Gambadoro didn’t deny it either, saying, “I won’t say no. Suns have liked Kuminga for a while. I don’t think it’s likely so chances more in the low range. But won’t rule out.” It may be tough to make it happen, but the interest is clearly there.

Now here’s the twist: Kuminga reportedly turned down a five-year, $150 million deal. This revelation stirred frustration. As one radio voice put it, “If you’re the Warriors and [Jonathan Kuminga] turned down a contract… I would’ve had to move him.” The tension feels real. With a lot of eyes on Mike Dunleavy Jr., Warriors GM, for the team “doing nothing this offseason”. And amid all the talk, Brandin Podziemski’s words cut through with surprising calm: “Why everyone worried about us 👍🏻.” Maybe fans shouldn’t panic yet, but the next move could shape everything.

Why Jonathan Kuminga’s defense could decide his Warriors future

Jonathan Kuminga’s future remains the prominent storyline surrounding the Golden State Warriors right now, especially as he has stayed unsigned for more than two weeks into free agency. With rumors swirling and questions piling up, his situation feels like the final domino before the team can fully move forward.

The real question is this: Can Kuminga fit next to Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green? Offensively, it’s shaky. The trio’s overlapping roles and spacing issues make it difficult to find rhythm. But there’s another path that could change everything. If Kuminga sharpens his defense, the fit might not be so complicated after all.

In fact, defense might be the key to his breakthrough. He showed flashes against Anthony Edwards during the second-round series against Minnesota. Former Warrior Baron Davis went as far as saying, “If he’s one of them people that when you match up against him, you’re like, ‘damn he been holding people’, like he needs to be that.” Davis even added, “He be holding people to 29% (shooting) soon.” That kind of lockdown potential is hard to ignore.

Kuminga’s focus has mostly been on scoring and becoming a star, but Davis believes there’s another way. “But I think for him, he’s kind of like trying to figure out points equal money. But I think you get the same amount of points pouring into your defense as a dog, as a real dog,” he said. The message? Becoming a relentless defender might be his best shot at long-term success.

Steve Kerr could overlook some offensive flaws if Kuminga turns into a reliable stopper. A five-man lineup with Curry, Butler, Kuminga, Green, and Horford could become a defensive wall. But it all depends on whether Kuminga takes that step. If he does, the conversation around his future might flip entirely.