Jonathan Kuminga’s future with the Golden State Warriors appears uncertain as multiple NBA teams express interest in the Congolese forward during the current offseason. With salary demands reportedly exceeding what many interested franchises can offer, including the Miami Heat, doubts about Kuminga’s fit within the Warriors’ roster have grown amid changes to the team’s lineup.

Teams like the Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, and Miami Heat have all shown some level of interest in acquiring Kuminga. However, obstacles remain. The Heat had reportedly pursued him during earlier negotiations involving Jimmy Butler III but could not meet Kuminga’s estimated $30 million annual asking price. Meanwhile, the Pelicans face challenges in facilitating a deal, as do the Bulls, who seem to be adopting a cautious approach. Interest from Sacramento has been mentioned but nothing concrete has emerged yet. Kuminga’s willingness to reduce his salary expectations remains unclear, limiting potential trade scenarios.

Udonis Haslem Suggests Kuminga Should Prioritize a Team That Maximizes His Abilities

Former Miami Heat star Udonis Haslem has openly questioned whether Kuminga’s style aligns with the Warriors’ current structure, recommending that Kuminga seek a situation better suited to his talents. Haslem emphasized that the Warriors’ acquisitions, particularly Jimmy Butler’s arrival, make it hard for Kuminga to play freely and develop into his best self.

He should go and be his best version, and I don’t think that’s going to happen in the Golden State. And it’s nothing against Golden State. It’s nothing against Kuminga. It’s just not a good fit, especially when you bring in a guy like Jimmy Butler,

Haslem asserted.

Haslem highlighted Butler’s significant role on the court, noting how his high basketball IQ and ball-handling responsibilities influence those around him, including Kuminga.

Jimmy Butler is a d**n good basketball player. He needs to have a ball in his hands. He’s going to make other guys better. He’s going to defend on the other end. His basketball IQ is out of the roof. And that’s where he gets the edge with Kuminga, where you put him in a game, you put him with Steph. You put him with those other guys, and you don’t miss a beat,

he argued.

Haslem stressed Kuminga’s unique playing style that requires more freedom on the floor, implying that a different team environment would allow him to flourish.

You put Kuminga in, and it’s a little bit of a standstill. He gets the ball in his hands; he wants to do this thing. So Jonatham Kuminga should look for a situation or an opportunity to be his best version,

Haslem continued.

It is his time, and he should not feel bad about that at all. Oftentimes, we make guys feel bad about wanting to step into the light and be their best version.

[Kuminga]’s played the game. He’s been in Golden State long enough. This is the guy who’s 15 points per game, 45% from the field. He’s a d**n good basketball player. It’s his time to shine, and he wants his opportunity, and I don’t blame him,

Haslem added.

Steve Kerr Acknowledges Structural Challenges with Kuminga on Current Warriors Lineup

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has publicly addressed the challenges involving Kuminga’s role alongside the team’s current core, particularly following the addition of Jimmy Butler. Kerr admitted that Butler’s arrival has limited Kuminga’s minutes at the power forward position and created a lineup mismatch.

Every game is different, and I think Jimmy’s arrival took away a lot of Jonathan’s minutes at the four,

Kerr explained in a recent interview with 95.7 The Game’s Mark T. Willard and Dan Dibley.

We went like 17 and 3 or something, so we’re going to keep doing what’s been winning. But the lineup with Jimmy, Jonathan and Draymond doesn’t fit real well, frankly. It just doesn’t. We need more spacing. We’ve found other lineups that have clicked, and this is just part of the deal, being in the NBA, and you’ve got to adapt to whatever’s happening with the team,

he continued.

While Kerr recognized Kuminga’s adaptability and hard work to adjust to the evolving team dynamic, he made it clear that the coaching staff prioritizes lineups that provide the best chance to win, which sometimes means limiting Kuminga’s court time.

He’s playing well when he’s out there. But I’m just going with the line of combinations that I think are going to give us the best chance to win, and there’s going to be nights where he’s absolutely part of that, like the Lakers game, and then there’s going to be nights where I go to Buddy [Hield] or Moses [Moody] or Gary Payton,

Kerr noted.

Kuminga’s Recent Performance and Outlook for 2025-2026 Season

Before suffering a sprained ankle, Kuminga averaged 16.8 points over 26 minutes per game in 32 appearances. Since returning from injury on March 13, his playing time and scoring have dropped noticeably, with averages of 12.4 points in just over 21 minutes across 14 games. This decline reflects the shift in the Warriors’ rotational priorities after integrating Butler into the lineup.

As the offseason unfolds, the question remains whether Kuminga will remain with Golden State on a possibly short-term contract, or if he will seek a team where he can secure more playing time and a role that better suits his game style. Given the competitive nature of roster spots and salary constraints, Kuminga’s decisions in the coming weeks will significantly shape his career trajectory and impact the Warriors’ plans moving forward.