Jonathan Kuminga appears headed for a split with the Golden State Warriors, with recent contract negotiations revealing a growing rift between the young forward and the organization. The 22-year-old scorer and the Warriors have reached an impasse in discussions, with reports indicating the team even attempted to include a team option in their latest two-year proposal.
According to ESPN insiders Shams Charania and Anthony Slater, Kuminga is considering drastic measures to secure his freedom. "That negotiation haggle is another example of the ongoing tug-of-war for control of Kuminga's future. It's why, despite the short- and long-term financial risk, Kuminga is expressing a willingness to potentially take the qualifying offer," the reporters noted.
The Warriors now face the challenging prospect of replacing Kuminga's offensive production. He's averaged 15.8 points per game over the past two seasons, with that number jumping to 22.2 points per 36 minutes. His value became particularly evident during the 2025 playoffs, where he posted 26.3 points per contest across the team's final three postseason games.
Buddy Hield emerges as the organization's best hope to fill this potential scoring void. The sharpshooting veteran is entering his second season with Golden State, bringing valuable stability to the wing position despite having played for four different franchises since 2022.
Despite shooting below his career averages last season with marks of 41.7% from the field and 37.0% from three-point range, Hield showed flashes of brilliance when it mattered most. His playoff performance included a 12.5-point average on 42.9% shooting from beyond the arc, highlighted by a spectacular 33-point explosion in Game 7 against the Houston Rockets.
With Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler both in their mid-to-late 30s, the Warriors desperately need Hield to recapture his 2022-23 form, when he averaged 16.8 points on 45.8% shooting overall and 42.5% from distance.
The critical question remains: Is the nine-year veteran truly declining, or was last season simply an anomaly? With Kuminga potentially forfeiting nearly $14 million to escape Golden State and gain unrestricted free agency next summer, Hield's ability to step up could determine whether the Warriors can maintain their competitive edge in the Western Conference. Can the ultra-durable shooter who's missed just five games in nine seasons become the reliable third option Golden State needs?
