The Golden State Warriors could lose out on two NBA champions as their inactive off-season continues.
The Warriors are the only team in the NBA not to sign or re-sign a single player this summer. Their silence is deafening, despite needing to capitalise on the final years of Steph Curry’s prime.
It was widely reported that the Warriors were still expecting to bring in some high-calibre players despite missing out on the first few waves of players. But they are currently at risk of missing out on two NBA champions.
The Golden State Warriors could lose out on Al Horford as Jonathan Kuminga saga continues
Golden State have been linked with Al Horford, NBA champion with the Boston Celtics, for a number of weeks, as they look to add some much-needed size and locker-room leadership to their ranks. That deal was expected to be over the line by now, but as has been the trend for the Warriors this season, the negotiations drag on.
That could be because of the Warriors’ ongoing talks with Jonathan Kuminga, who they are struggling to come to an agreement with according to NBA Insider Brett Siegel.
Siegel said, “Based on word at Summer League, it seems like Jonathan Kuminga’s situation will continue to drag on, possibly into August. The two sides have remained far apart in negotiations, including this week at Summer League. Rival teams believe Kuminga doesn’t want to return.”
Kuminga fell out of the rotation on the back end of the season, with reports citing his poor attitude affecting his relationship with the team. He got key minutes during the postseason, but doesn’t seem keen to re-sign.
The Phoenix Suns are front-runners to swoop in for Kuminga, according to Siegel.
He said, “Have heard the Suns brought up as a potential Kuminga suitor, especially given their interest in him at the trade deadline when the Kevin Durant trade fell apart.”
It seems Kuminga is causing the backlog, and until he is signed, the Warriors will not be making moves. That leaves the Horford deal at risk of slipping through their fingers.
Steph Curry keen for Golden State Warriors to add Horford
The Horford speculation has been going on for so long that reporters have had the opportunity to ask Curry about it.
When asked by Anthony Slater of The Athletic about the potential of playing with Horford, Curry, who was playing at the American Century Championship golf tournament last week, was complimentary.
He said, “He’s a champion, great player. When…if, when all that stuff happens, I’ll talk about it.”
37-year-old Curry continues to perform at an outstanding level, and if not for LeBron James, what he is doing would be near-unprecedented. Curry averaged 24.5 points per game last season, leading his team to the post-season via the Play-In.
But we were reminded of his mortality in the playoffs. Golden State’s chances were shattered when Curry suffered a hamstring injury in Game One of the second round against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He missed the rest of the series, ending the Warriors’ season.
Time is limited for the NBA’s best ever shooter, Curry, and missing out on Horford in the midst of this Kuminga mess would be a huge blow.