A quiet offseason doesn’t even sum up the unrest at the Golden State Warriors. What have they done so far to solidify a roster? Nothing. At this point, Jonathan Kuminga challenges the front office while veterans Stephen Curry and Draymond Green gear up for their fifth title. Yes, there seems to be no solution for and with the 22-year-old. And, according to Jake Fischer, he is “strongly considering” accepting the $7.9 million qualifying offer.

But what if the Warriors are planning on moving on?

The Dubs have been hosting workouts to zero in on potential training camp invitees. Danny Emerman of The San Francisco Standard reports that NBA veterans Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Dalano Banton joined the sessions. Neither will make the roster, yet both offer intriguing depth. Non-guaranteed deals could easily land them in Santa Cruz, keeping the door open for opportunity.

Robinson-Earl, 6’9, posted 6.3 points and 4.8 rebounds in 18.8 minutes across 66 Pelicans games last season. His 14.8% usage rate screams efficiency, not volume, while he nailed 55.7% of two-pointers, 34.1% of threes, and 83.6% from the line. Banton, lanky at 6’9, posted 8.3 points, 2.4 assists, 2 rebounds, 0.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 16.7 minutes over 67 games, showing length, defense, and flashes of playmaking. Scoring remains his barrier at 46.4% from two and 30.4% from three.

Now let’s come back to JK. The Golden State Warriors’ offseason has been disrupted by Kuminga’s unresolved situation. Moreover, he remains a restricted free agent, and the Warriors’ offer includes no player option. That lack of flexibility could push JK toward the qualifying offer, creating uncertainty for the team’s planning. His decision could ripple through roster construction and influence veteran and rookie dynamics.

Reports suggest Kuminga’s preference leans toward a “longer deal” to remain with the Warriors for years. Meanwhile, insider Jake Fischer highlighted this as a potential sticking point. While a long-term contract would secure his future in Golden State, the current impasse exposes tension between player ambition and team strategy, raising questions about how the front office will manage negotiations moving forward.

The concern for future suitors is clear. Investing heavily in a player who might prefer to stay put creates risk. Even if Kuminga accepts the qualifying offer, franchises will wonder about his long-term commitment. While this could eventually benefit him financially, his short-term preference signals caution for teams looking to offer significant contracts, making decision-making for front offices more complex.

Suddenly, the Chicago Bulls have emerged as a potential landing spot for Kuminga. With financial flexibility next season, they could pursue talent aggressively. However, as a rebuilding franchise, they must remain cautious with players whose interest might be situational. Any move would require careful consideration to avoid impacting long-term stability. How they proceed could set the tone for Kuminga’s market next summer.

The Warriors stand before a potential new spot for Jonathan Kuminga

To begin with, The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer said, “Don’t dismiss Chicago completely as a future landing spot for Kuminga. The Bulls are projected to have significant salary cap space next summer, and there will be more teams compared to this summer’s barren marketplace. Those are among the factors that have Kuminga’s camp, I’m told, strongly considering the same route that Thomas went and accepting the $7.9 million qualifying offer from Golden State that expires Oct. 1.”

Now, this is where ESPN’s Anthony Slater’s analysis kicks in. “I think the Josh Giddey contract—four years, $100 million—provided a little extra motivation for the talks,” he said. “Josh, I don’t think there’s a misalignment between the Warriors and Kuminga side, as Giddey’s per year, around $25 million, is somewhat near what Kuminga should be.” Giddey’s per-year figure, around $25 million, roughly aligns with what Kuminga could command, giving both sides a benchmark and a reference point for negotiations.

Slater explained the structural differences between Giddey and Kuminga. “Giddey signed four years, no team options. He’s signing on to the Bulls to be their starting point guard of the future.” In contrast, Kuminga lacks a guaranteed role. The Warriors aim for a team-friendly deal while Kuminga knows he’s not walking into a starting spot. This gap stalls the process month after month.

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The public assumes veterans must worry, but Slater clarifies, “They’re not—they’ve had communication with Mike Dunleavy, know what the roster will look like, and understand the dominoes that will fall.” The key question remains Kuminga’s buy-in if he returns on the qualifying offer. Giddey’s contract indirectly strengthens the Bulls as a potential landing spot, highlighting a precedent for lucrative, structured deals that could attract Jonathan Kuminga in the future.

The Kuminga saga is far from over, and the Golden State Warriors are dancing on a knife’s edge. Every decision he makes could tilt the roster, rattle veterans, and reshape the offseason narrative. With the Bulls lurking as a tempting landing spot, the chessboard is set. Now it’s a waiting game of patience, strategy, and bold moves. The question isn’t if something happens—it’s how explosive it will be.