Lacob reaffirms Warriors’ commitment to Kuminga after Butler trade

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Lacob reaffirms Warriors’ commitment to Kuminga after Butler trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors owner Joe Lacob is more than committed to fourth-year wing Jonathan Kuminga.

Despite Golden State’s pricy acquisition of six-time NBA All-Star forward Jimmy Butler at the Feb. 6 trade deadline and the expected steep market for Kuminga during the upcoming free agency period, Lacob made it clear his franchise envisions the 22-year-old being part of its long-term future.

Lacob spoke exclusively with The Athletic’s Anthony Slater for a story published Wednesday, where he was asked if Butler’s addition would complicate Kuminga’s future with the Warriors.

“Why?” Lacob asked Slater.

Slater: “Because Butler’s salary next season is $25.9 million more than [Andrew] Wiggins was scheduled to make.”

Lacob: “Yeah. So?”

Slater: “So Lacob and the Warriors are still committed to paying what it takes to keep Kuminga, who will enter a thin market as maybe the most intriguing wing target?”

Lacob: “Absolutely. One hundred percent. Are you kidding me? I love that guy. We love him.”

There you have it.

Lacob and the Warriors are comfortable giving Kuminga the bag in the upcoming offseason, even with Butler due roughly $54.13 million during the 2025-26 NBA season compared to the $28.22 million Wiggins would’ve been owed had Golden State retained him.

Nevertheless, Kuminga will be worth every penny. The athletic up-and-comer has improved every campaign – averaging career highs in points (16.8) and rebounds (five) this season over 32 games – since being selected No. 7 overall by Golden State in the 2021 NBA Draft and brings a youthful flare to one of the league’s older star-studded rosters led by a 36-year-old Steph Curry, 35-year-old Butler and 34-year-old Draymond Green.

Lacob, Golden State’s majority owner since 2010, understands writing big checks is part of the business. Especially after having slippery free-agent negotiations in the past with Curry and, most recently, first-year Dallas Maverick and former Warriors star Klay Thompson, Lacob is getting ahead of what surely will be an…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/lacob-reaffirms-warriors-commitment-kuminga-161822196.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2025-02-12 16:18:00

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