Warriors Could Lose Crucial Star Due to Clashing Roster Plans
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The Golden State Warriors may not have had a prayer against the mighty Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, but it certainly seems feasible that they could have given the Minnesota Timberwolves a real series if All-Stars Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler hadn't been hurt.
Curry strained his hamstring in Game 1 of the team's second round series against Minnesota and missed the final four contests of the series. Butler, meanwhile, had been grappling with a deep glute contusion since the first round, and appeared to lack a lot of the burst that makes him such a special two-way talent.
So the Warriors' 2025 playoff run ended in the semifinals.
More Golden State Warriors News: Warriors' Draymond Green Reacts to Steve Kerr's Honest Statement
Now, Golden State could be losing a key star due to different perspectives on roster needs.
According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, fourth-year Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga is angling to leverage his restricted free agency this summer to either carve out more minutes and responsibilities in Golden State or elsewhere.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 08: Brandin Podziemski #2 and Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors walks across the court in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 08,...
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 08: Brandin Podziemski #2 and Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors walks across the court in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 08, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Podziemski was told he wouldn't be traded for any star players this offseason. More
Photo byThe Warriors, meanwhile, would prefer to harness him as a downhill scorer and athletic defender, while de-emphasizing his time with the ball.
"The cleanest path is finding a sign-and-trade scenario that delivers the Warriors veterans who fit the unique Steve Kerr system built around Curry, Green and now Butler — three unique and proven winners," Slater writes.
More Golden State Warriors News: Steve Kerr Reveals Uncomfortable Truth About Warriors Star
Kuminga, still just 22, proved to be a frustrating contributor. A score-first forward with intriguing athleticism, he seemed to thrive most when with the ball in his hands — a reality that can't come to fruition much on a team with proud vets like Curry, Butler and Draymond Green.
Still, Kuminga showed plenty of promise when he did get more of an opportunity for Golden State after Curry had gone down.
More Golden State Warriors News: Warriors Being Heavily Linked to Celtics Star
The 6-foot-8 pro averaged 24.3 points on 54.8 percent shooting from the floor (38.9 percent from deep) across the final four games of the Timberwolves series, all losses.
His ability to attack the rim remains massively enticing.
Still, it may make sense for the Warriors to fully move on from their original "two timelines" plan — an era wherein Golden State drafted three lottery players from 2020-21, none of whom became major contributors to the club's 2022 championship — and embrace the now.
Curry is 37, Butler turns 36 before the start of the season, and Green is 35. Health issues have already hampered their time together in the playoffs once. It's time for the Warriors to bring in a supporting cast tailored to the old guys.
More Golden State Warriors News:
Former Heat Star Calls Out Jimmy Butler After Warriors Playoff Exit
Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra Was Brutally Honest With Steve Kerr on Warriors' Jimmy Butler Acquisition
Warriors Guard Undergoes Unexpected Offseason Surgery
Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga Situation Receives Major Update
For more Golden State Warriors and general NBA news and rumors, stay tuned to Newsweek Sports.
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