Al Horford to Warriors Receives Update After Jonathan Kuminga News

Al Horford to Warriors Receives Update After Jonathan Kuminga News originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Golden State Warriors’ offseason has been dominated by the unresolved standoff with forward Jonathan Kuminga. After a 2024-25 season in which he averaged 15.3 points per game, Kuminga declined the team’s two-year, $45 million offer, citing issues with the second-year team option and the lack of a no-trade clause.

Kuminga has also drawn interest from other teams — most notably the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. However, Golden State has shut down all trade discussions, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The franchise has instead chosen to wait, leaving major offseason decisions on hold, including the potential signing of veteran big man Al Horford, who remains a free agent.

Kuminga Set to Stay With the Golden State Warriors

With the Warriors determined to stand their ground on the Kuminga front and the 6-foot-7 forward yet to accept their terms or the $7.9 million qualifying offer, all signs point to one likely scenario: Kuminga remaining a Warrior for at least one more season.

According to Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard, Golden State has no plans to trade Kuminga for the bare minimum this summer. He is expected to return to the Warriors’ roster — either by signing their current offer or accepting the qualifying offer.

“The word I got when I checked in with a Warriors source on Sunday: Kuminga won't be traded this summer,” Kawakami wrote. “He'll be back on the Warriors' roster to start the season. And it'll either come when he signs the Warriors' offer or accepts the $7.9 million one-year qualifying offer.”

The Warriors refusing to budge on their Kuminga stance means they will maintain the flexibility needed to make other moves that have been on hold — such as the signing of Boston Celtics free agent Al Horford.

What the New Jonathan Kuminga Report Means for Al Horford

As it stands, it appears that the Warriors’ signing of Horford could be happening sooner rather than later. ESPN’s Anthony Slater noted toward the end of last month that Golden State identified Horford as its main target for a stretch-shooting center at the start of the offseason. However, his decision was believed to depend on how the Kuminga situation played out.

ESPN’s Marc Spears recently noted that even players such as Gary Payton II are waiting to see what Kuminga decides, further illustrating how his contract status is affecting the entire roster.

“I saw Gary Payton II two days ago. I'm like, what's going on? He's like waiting on (Jonathan Kuminga). He is; Al Horford is.”

"I saw Gary Payton II two days ago. I'm like, what's going on? He's like waiting on [Jonathan Kuminga]. He is, Al Horford is."

— Marc Spears 🗣️

(via @ESPNNBA)pic.twitter.com/68wRtOFada

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 31, 2025

With Kuminga presumably set to return next season, and seemingly under the Warriors' financial terms, the team will retain cap flexibility and avoid losing a core piece for nothing. It also positions the team to move quickly on Horford or similar targets to solidify their frontcourt. If Kuminga opts for the qualifying offer, Golden State keeps his rights but risks future complications with trade leverage.

Either way, the outcome of this standoff will likely shape how the Warriors enter training camp — and whether they can maximize what may be the final competitive window of the Stephen Curry era.

Related: Jonathan Kuminga Makes Personal Decision After $45 Million Warriors Report

Related: New Al Horford, Celtics Report Emerges Amid Retirement Decision

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 4, 2025, where it first appeared.