Another game gone, another heartbreak, and still no Stephen Curry on the court. The Golden State Warriors and Dub Nation have felt this sting before, but it never loses its edge. With the series now at 1–3 after Game 4, the second round of the playoffs is beginning to slip through their fingers. The warning signs have been loud for a while, and now, there’s no choice but to face them. As the pressure mounts, the spotlight again shifts to Jonathan Kuminga, placing the franchise on the edge of a decision that could shape what comes next.

Draymond Green struggled in Game 3 but bounced back with 14 points in Game 4. So, on the Warriors Plus Minus podcast, the hosts Anthony Slater, Tim Kawakami, and Marcus Thompson showed the harsh reality of the franchise and the roster.

The 22-year-old forward, Jonathan Kuminga, stepped up when the Warriors needed someone to hold the reins. Along with Jimmy Butler, and in Curry’s absence, he performed like never before. 30 points in Game 3 and 23 points in Game 4. But, “Kuminga, for all his issues, he’s got the mindset of it. He just probably doesn’t have enough of a skill,” the hosts pointed out on their podcast. “But there are guys in the draft that just aren’t Warriors players that you might just have to look at. And even maybe not the draft—like, look at all the free agent-type players they got through the minute.”

“Like, the playoffs are showing, you need a couple of those guys who are not like that,” they further pointed out. Simply put, the playoffs are bringing out the side that says which players need to be moved and who has to stay. For that matter, the hosts of the podcast feel, Kuminga could be the one moved in the offseason. “And maybe if you don’t look at them before, it’s like, ‘Oh, these guys are valuable.’ Maybe they—maybe they look a little more valuable now because, really, they just need a guy who can say, ‘I’m going to I’m going to go get a bucket.’ And they don’t have that.”

Simply put, Stephen Curry is their greatest offensive power. He brings the fire for more buckets. Well, Butler, too, as a matter of fact, looks for the flames. But the rest of the team, even with Jonathan Kuminga showing up, doesn’t feel like enough. “Everybody’s like, ‘Stay ready.’ It was frustrating for him [Kuminga], but if you go and do this on a postseason stage, that’s worth more than 15 regular-season games.

“It’s more than — it’s two games. You know, this game he was good too, but the game in Minnesota and 30 at home — like, that’s enough to change your perspective about people about him. I mean, are these two games to give him $10M more? I don’t know. It’s gonna be hard. Someone’s gonna have to put another bidder in there, and you gotta explain. Have to say, ‘This guy is gonna be our number one or number two.’ And I don’t know who that is. Maybe Brooklyn.”

Jonathan Kuminga may not be the perfect product, but he has the mindset teams crave. The Warriors built their roster around a familiar mold. But the playoffs have exposed their need for someone who can simply go get a bucket. While Kuminga still battles inconsistency, his flashes of brilliance on the postseason stage speak louder than weeks of regular-season effort.

Now, the question is whether those glimpses are enough to earn him a bigger payday or attract another team willing to bet on his upside. Maybe it is Brooklyn. Maybe not. But one thing’s clear—the Warriors can no longer afford to ignore what they lack.

Jonathan Kuminga trade talks could ease Draymond Green’s troubles

Signed for a 4-year, $21 million contract, Jonathan Kuminga could get an extension (rumored: $215 million) this offseason. However, many experts believe this is unlikely. The star had already rejected a 5-year, $150 million extension in the 2024 offseason. Now, with inconsistent play and limited minutes, Kuminga’s exit could shift the spotlight. It might open doors for Draymond Green and Stephen Curry.

“What this series has exposed, and even the Houston series — but it’s so blatant without Steph, is they don’t have enough size. And Draymond, as great as he is defensively, he just can’t bring it — what he needs — every night to play center,” the hosts said on Warriors Plus Minus. “And then they just have such a dearth of guys who (a) wanna shoot, (b) can shoot, and guys who are just like, ‘I’m getting to the rim.’ And the fact that their confidence can be rattled off of missed shots shows they just need a different type of guy.” 

Without Stephen Curry, the flaws scream louder. The Warriors lack size, and Draymond Green cannot carry the center load every night. Worse, they miss aggressive scorers. Too few want to shoot. Fewer actually can. Moreover, the roster feels awkward, the offense disjointed. It is no longer just a rough patch—it is reality. Now, Mike Dunleavy faces a hard truth. The current build does not work. The team needs a serious rethink before it slips further into chaos.

Thus, the Warriors stand at a crossroads. Without Stephen Curry, the cracks in their roster are impossible to ignore. Jonathan Kuminga, with his flashes of brilliance, may not be the answer. The team needs change—both in mindset and structure. As the pressure builds, the front office faces tough choices that could reshape its future.