The Golden State Warriors’ roster construction has hit a standstill, and according to veteran guard Gary Payton II, one player is holding up the entire operation. With training camp approaching and only nine players officially under contract, the Warriors find themselves in limbo while Jonathan Kuminga’s future remains unresolved.
This isn’t just about one young player anymore–it’s about championship window management and whether the Warriors can give Stephen Curry the support he needs for another title run.
Why Are Gary Payton II and Al Horford Still Waiting on Contracts?
Gary Payton II has lifted the lid on why neither he nor veteran big man Al Horford has officially joined the Golden State Warriors this offseason. According to Payton, everything is currently on pause due to Jonathan Kuminga.
Kuminga is a restricted free agent and the centerpiece of ongoing trade talks. Several teams have expressed interest, including the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. Unfortunately, the Warriors haven’t received a satisfactory offer yet.
The situation became clearer during Thursday’s segment of NBA Today on ESPN, where Malika Andrews, Kendrick Perkins, Marc J. Spears, Shams Charania and Anthony Slater broke down the contract drama surrounding Kuminga.
During the conversation, Andrews pointed out that the Warriors only have nine players on their active roster. Spears replied that it was indeed due to Kuminga’s uncertain status.
“I ran into Gary Payton II two days ago and asked, ‘What’s going on?’” Spears said. “He said, ‘Waiting on JK (Jonathan Kuminga). Horford is. Everybody is.’”
What Trade Offers Have the Kings and Suns Put on the Table?
The trade interest in Kuminga extends beyond casual inquiries. Spears earlier said that the Suns have offered a starting role for Kuminga as power forward, forming a front court with Keegan Murray and big man Domantas Sabonis.
The discussions have progressed to serious levels, with Kuminga already talking with Kings GM Scott Perry, Assistant GM B.J. Armstrong and head coach Doug Christie. However, Spears doesn’t think that the Suns’ offer of Malik Monk and a protected first-round pick is attractive to the Warriors.
Meanwhile, the Suns have put together their own package. Spears pointed out that the Suns’ offer of Royce O’Neal, Nick Richards and four second-round picks are not attractive either to Golden State’s front office.
The trade complications go beyond just asset value. Both the Kings and Suns are divisional rivals of the Warriors, which adds another layer of complexity. Spears mentioned the last trade the Warriors completed with the Kings was in 1991. Moreover, the Warriors haven’t completed a trade with the Suns since June 2013.
How Is This Kuminga Standoff Affecting the Warriors’ Championship Plans?
Kendrick Perkins believes that the current situation is reflecting poorly on the Warriors organization. He thinks that they are holding Kuminga hostage, rather than allowing him to flourish elsewhere. Although Kuminga has shown talent, Perkins doesn’t think the Warriors have shown proper faith in the young forward.
Beyond Kuminga’s development, Perkins believes that the current situation will have a negative impact on Stephen Curry, who is looking for one last championship run.
“I’m not expecting greatness,” Perkins added. “They traded for Jimmy Butler last year, you know, at the trade deadline to come in and give Steph Curry life. He did that.”
The timing concerns extend into training camp preparation. “Now, you want to go into training camp not only healthy, but having those guys be able to get the reps on the floor. But you want to go into training camp with no distractions. You want to go into training camp with the hopes of building team chemistry,” Perkins explained.
Most importantly, Perkins emphasized that the Warriors must avoid repeating the situation with Kuminga that they faced with Klay Thompson a few years ago. The organization cannot afford another drawn-out contract dispute that creates tension and uncertainty around a key player during what could be Curry’s final prime years.