With Jonathan Kuminga’s contract impasse threatening to stall the Golden State Warriors’ offseason, attention has shifted to franchise cornerstone Stephen Curry and how the 37-year-old superstar views the standoff. Many believe his voice could be decisive as the Warriors attempt to preserve one of their last remaining championship windows.
Analysts Question Curry’s Role
NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson raised the issue on the Dubs Talk podcast this week.
“I wonder what Steph Curry thinks about this at the end of the day,” Johnson said. “Like, to me, that has to be the biggest voice in all of this—whether it’s to Jonathan Kuminga or to the front office—and whether it’s understanding what these team options do to roster flexibility. Because again, you always said the one-to two-year window should be about 30 and that’s it.”
Warriors Stars Support Team’s Strategy
According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater and Shams Charania, Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler are aware of the front office’s plan and have expressed support. “They know the strategy, sources said, and have approved that anticipated result,” the reporters wrote earlier this week.
Butler has already reached out directly to Golden State’s front office seeking clarity. “What’s going on here? I just wanted to know the plan,” Butler asked, according to Johnson.
Curry’s Trust in the Front Office
NBC Sports Bay Area columnist Monte Poole described Curry as “as loyal as they come.”
“Steph is putting his trust in the front office, and he’s on board with what they’re trying to do. He believes in it, believes it can be successful,” Poole said in the podcast.
Curry has historically avoided involving himself in roster decisions. Back in February, before Golden State acquired Butler at the trade deadline, he told reporters: “That’s not for me to make those decisions. I want to win, so whatever it means to do that.”
Still, Poole suggested that Curry may eventually need to take a more active role if the Warriors’ offseason continues to be delayed: “At some point, maybe he does need to step forward and say, ‘Look, guys, come on. This summer has not been helpful. We had hoped this would be resolved by now, so we could all come together.’”
Free Agents Left Waiting
According to multiple reports, the Warriors have several free-agent agreements in place with veterans such as center Al Horford, guard De’Anthony Melton, defensive specialist Gary Payton II, and potentially Seth Curry, who could reunite with his brother. However, those signings remain on hold until Golden State finalizes Kuminga’s contract and resolves its cap situation.
“They have it theoretically—you know the nine guys, you know who the others are—but they’re not in camp right now,” Poole noted. “They can’t be part of the offseason workout program that’s going on at the training center.”
General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. said before the draft that resolving the matter quickly was crucial. Now, with training camp set to open Sept. 29, the Warriors still lack the roster cohesion they hoped to have in place.
Contract Battle Nears Deadline
Golden State recently increased its offer to Kuminga: a three-year, $75.2 million deal that includes $48.3 million guaranteed over the first two seasons, according to Slater and Charania. The holdup remains the final year, which the team wants as a club option. Kuminga has insisted on a player option instead.
He has until Oct. 1 to accept an extension or play next season on a $7.9 million qualifying offer that would make him an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
Unless Curry steps in and uses his voice to help break the deadlock, the Warriors risk dragging the standoff into training camp — a costly distraction for a team still clinging to championship hopes.
Warriors’ Kuminga Drama Raises Questions About Steph Curry’s Role