Despite a disappointing playoff exit, the Golden State Warriors have reason for optimism this summer. They were one of the hottest teams post-trade deadline and could be much better with a full season of Jimmy Butler. Then again, they likely will be without a key player next season.
Fourth-year player Jonathan Kuminga will hit restricted free agency this summer and could very well be playing elsewhere next season. Given the Warriors' cap situation with them being above the first apron, they are vulnerable to another team signing Kuminga to a massive offer sheet.
The Brooklyn Nets, who could have up to $70 million in cap space, could take a run at him. They could not only give him a big annual salary, but they could even front-load the contract, making it all the more expensive for Golden State while Stephen Curry is still playing and eating up more than $55 million in cap space.
The Golden State Warriors could lose Jonathan Kuminga for nothing
Given his inconsistent role on Golden State over the first four years of his career, if that were to happen, then it appears that the Warriors would likely not match in that scenario. Especially with Coach Steve Kerr's recent comments.
“It’s a tricky one because Jonathan obviously is gifted and wants to play a bigger role and wants to play more. And for me, I’ve been asked to win. And right now, he’s not a guy who I can say I’m going to play 38 minutes with the roster that we have,” Kerr said about Kuminga.
He and Kuminga have had their ups and downs, and he recently gave a very honest answer about his rotation and why Kuminga doesn't play a larger role in it.
Golden State potentially letting Kuminga a walk in restricted free agency would be a gut punch considering that his next contract could allow them to trade for a star. Unfortunately, sign-and-trade options are complicated by base-year compensation.
The Warriors may be fine with losing Kuminga
That would mean that if he were to sign a deal starting at $30 million and were to be traded, he'd only have $15 million in tradeable salary. That would make it much tougher for them to move him in a deal for, say, Kevin Durant.
That limitation, Kerr not being high on him, are two strikes against him. Even if they were to match a potential offer sheet, then they would be overpaying for a player that doesn't figure into their long-term plans.
Ultimately, the Warriors may not bring back Kuminga given their cap situation. Even if they do, then it's likely that he won't play a significant role next season. Based on that, the Warriors may be better served letting him leave and figuring out how to replace him either internally or for cheap in free agency.