The Warriors may have a painful ending to their 2024-25 season, but certainly not Jonathan Kuminga. Earlier in March this year, when the 22-year-old returned to the Warriors roster after recovering from a sprained ankle, Kuminga’s place was still not secured because of two major factors: First, Jimmy Butler was doing wonders for the Warriors, and second, head coach Steve Kerr had made a point to Kuminga to sharpen the role-playing aspect of his game. But this was not how Jonathan wanted to end his final year of the rookie contract.

Stephen Curry’s hamstring injury during the playoffs came as a blessing in disguise for Kuminga. Kerr, who wanted Jonathan to improve his game and was hesitant to start, was forced to fit the young forward into the squad. And even though the Warriors lost against the Timberwolves, Kuminga was able to leave his mark with 18, 30, 23, and 26 points at the biggest stage, right before his free agency. Well, despite Kerr’s opinion, the Warriors front office is keen on securing the power forward.

Addressing the media on Thursday night, the Warriors’ GM Mike Dunleavy confirmed his desire to extend Kuminga’s stay in the Bay Area. “You’ve got to be prepared to take it as far as it goes, but the priority, I think for both sides, is to get something done early,” said Dunleavy. However, Kuminga, who is set to become a free agent on July 1, is open to exploring more options.

As per renowned insider Shams Charania, “Jonathan Kuminga feels he’s ready to go somewhere else and be one of the main guys.” The ESPN insider also revealed that one NBA team has emerged as a potential suitor for the Warriors’ star. “After missing out on Kevin Durant, the Miami Heat are remaining active. When you look into free agency, one name to keep an eye on that I’m told they are expected to be a potential suitor for is Warriors restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga,” Charania said on ESPN’s coverage of the 2025 NBA Draft.

That Jimmy Butker trade brought a new dynamic to the Warriors, forming a trio with Steph Curry and Draymond Green that’s earning over $170 million next year. It put Kuminga squarely behind two alpha scorers and a franchise legend in the pecking order. 

For the Warriors, this is a complicated time, as they believe they could have made a serious run for the title. If Curry had not gone down in the second round. Butler was not able to carry the offense alone. Yet in the same playoff window, Kuminga forced his way back into the spotlight with four monster games. The Timberwolves could not contain him. That was a statement. But even after that, as long as HC Kerr is in the Bay Area, Kuminga sees the writing on the wall. Meanwhile, Draymond Green seems to be already making his own calls to the front office.

What does Draymond Green want the Warriors’ front office to consider?

Draymond Green has never been one to bite his tongue. And fresh off another playoff heartbreak, he has been vocal. And not just about the loss, but about what comes next. ““I think. You know? Like we added, Jimmy, I think that was the biggest thing that needed to happen. Now, we got that. Now you can tool them around that,” said Green. “You know our team was full around Steph. Now you know how Jimmy looks in the system, you know how Jimmy likes to play. You can also tune around that as well”. His message? Well, the foundation is set. Curry and Butler are the pillars. Now the front office needs to get the right players around them. Guys who fit into their established system and roles. 

But Draymond also acknowledged the complexity of free agency. “Trying to court people that make the best offer, and you don’t always know what it is right. Like, for some guys, it could be the highest dollar. Most other guys that could be totally different.” The franchise seems to be in alignment with Draymond’s thinking. If Kuminga can’t accept the role of the secondary defender in a spacing-constrained lineup, then maybe it’s time to look elsewhere.

The Warriors have tough decisions ahead. Kuminga has shown enough for other teams to see the star in him. The Warrior, on the other hand, is built around established stars and needs complementary pieces. But that means they also risk letting a potential future All-Star go elsewhere and break out, much like Jordan Poole did in spurts before them.