The Golden State Warriors are built to compete immediately, but the question remains about their direction beyond the present season. With restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga‘s status unresolved, analyst Zach Lowe weighed in on how this decision may impact the Warriors’ long-term outlook.
The 22-year-old Kuminga, who averaged 15.3 points per game last season on 45.4 percent shooting, suffered a sprained right ankle that sidelined him for 31 games. Despite flashes of exceptional talent, his consistency has been inconsistent, creating uncertainty around his value as the franchise moves forward.
Zach Lowe Highlights the Challenges in the Warriors’ Post-Steph Planning
Zach Lowe expressed concern that the Warriors’ attempt to balance immediate success with future rebuilding has not materialized, which dims the team‘s prospects after Stephen Curry‘s era ends.
“The other depressing thought about the Warriors as currently constructed,”
Lowe said, highlighting the difficult situation. He added,
“And the post-Steph future, despite all the talk about it, all the careful planning for it, several savvy picks like [Brandin] Podziemski, looks like a good pick for where he was drafted.”
Podziemski, a promising young player, posted 11.7 points per game on 44.5 percent shooting last season, showing potential along with other emerging role players. Trayce Jackson-Davis was also referenced by Lowe as fitting expectations based on draft position, yet neither signals a dramatic shift toward a brighter future.
“Even a guy like [Trayce] Jackson-Davis looks like a good pick for where he was drafted,”
Lowe continued. He warned that
“the post-Steph future looks incredibly bleak.”
Potential Transaction Involving Kuminga Could Shape Warriors’ Path
Lowe emphasized that the upcoming decision regarding Kuminga might be the franchise’s most pivotal move in the near term. Whether Golden State opts to retain or trade Kuminga appears crucial for the team’s rebuilding plans.
“And I just don’t see a world in which that transaction sets the Warriors up for a happier post-Steph future,”
he said. Lowe doubted that Kuminga would emerge as a breakout star if re-signed, expecting instead
“a sign-and-trade in which the return is slightly underwhelming.”
Mike Dunleavy faces a tough offseason choice about Kuminga’s role on the team, with potential consequences lasting several years for Golden State’s competitive outlook.
The Context Surrounding the Warriors and Their Young Core
Despite ongoing speculation, the Warriors’ current roster construction prioritizes immediate success at the cost of a clear succession plan. Younger players like Kuminga and Podziemski offer hope but have yet to provide the certainty needed for a smooth transition after Curry’s eventual departure.
The uncertainty over Kuminga’s future contract and potential trades adds pressure to an already complex rebuilding period that could define the team‘s trajectory in the competitive Bay Area and California sports landscape.