Jonathan Kuminga Contract Extension Still Eyed by Warriors' Lacob After Butler Trade

The Golden State Warriors continue to see forward Jonathan Kuminga as a big part of their long-term future following the acquisition of Jimmy Butler.

Team governor Joe Lacob told The Athletic’s Anthony Slater the Warriors are “absolutely”  and “100 percent” committed to re-signing Kuminga, who’s eligible to become a restricted free agent in the summer.

“I love that guy. We love him,” Lacob said.

Kendra Andrews of ESPN reported in August that Golden State was hesitant to trade either Kuminga or guard Brandin Podziemski as it weighed a major trade.

“Golden State intends to hold onto those players ‘very tightly,’ and anything to loosen the grip on them would have to be an ‘overwhelming offer,’” Andrews wrote.

The organization's stance on Kuminga hadn't changed much this winter. HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported on Jan. 16 the 6’8” forward “remains a player Golden State is reluctant to part with.”

The Warriors are clearly fixated on winning another championship with Stephen Curry; they wouldn’t have acquired Butler and signed him to a $111 million extension otherwise. They nonetheless continue to keep an eye toward the bigger picture.

Rather than lessening Kuminga’s role, general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. might see Butler’s presence as a boon to the 22-year-old’s development. The six-time All-Star sounded eager about taking on a mentor role of sorts.

“I figure we’ll spend a lot of time together,” Butler said to Slater about Kuminga. “I would like to think I’ll make his job a lot easier and he’ll also make my job easier. He’s another individual they’re going to have to guard, they’re going to have to pay attention to. Then on defense, you got another quote, unquote ‘MFer’ that can switch, that can challenge shots, that can get out into the open floor.”

For now, the Warriors are saying all the right things with Kuminga. Come July, Lacob will have to put his money where his mouth is.