The Golden State Warriors were seen as legitimate championship contenders late in the regular season, but their playoff run ended abruptly after being eliminated in five games by the red-hot Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round. A hamstring injury to Stephen Curry in Game 1 played a significant role in their early exit, but the team now faces a pivotal offseason.
One major decision involves forward Jonathan Kuminga, who is set to hit free agency this summer. After Game 5, veteran Draymond Green addressed Kuminga’s future, saying, “Obviously JK has a contract situation. I wish him the best with it—whether he stays or goes.”
Kuminga, the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, had a slow start to his career and faced criticism early on. However, he showed major improvement this past season, particularly during the series against Minnesota. He dropped 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting in Game 3, followed by 23 in Game 4 and 26 in Game 5, offering the Warriors much-needed scoring and energy with Curry sidelined.
With Curry turning 37 and co-star Jimmy Butler now 35, the Warriors will need to inject more youth and athleticism into the roster to remain competitive. Kuminga, who averaged 15.3 points in 24.3 minutes during the regular season, brings explosiveness and strong finishing ability—qualities the team values.
However, with Butler locked into a $113 million extension over the next two years and Curry earning nearly $60 million annually, finding the financial space to give Kuminga a deal that satisfies him could prove difficult for Golden State.
