ESPN Analysis Warriors Offseason: Signing Kuminga + Finding Third Scoring Point There are still 4 first-round trades

On May 15, Beijing time, in the Western Conference semifinals, the Warriors were eliminated by the Timberwolves with a total score of 1-4, and ESPN analyzed the Warriors' offseason, as follows-

2024-25 season record: 48-34 in the regular season and stopped in the Western Conference semifinals

Drafted in June this year: No. 41 (from the Heat)

Free agent: Kuminga (restricted), Payton Jr., Kevon Looney, Knox, Santos (team option), Spencer (restricted), Post (team option), Braxton Key and Taran Armstrong (restricted)

The current state of the lineup

Despite the second-round stoppage, especially in Curry's absence, the Warriors' situation is still better than in the first half of the season. The stats prove that in the 30 games before Butler joined, the Warriors only scored 12 wins and 18 losses, and ranked in the bottom 10 of the league in offensive and defensive efficiency. After the All-Star break, Butler's addition, as well as his first-round win over the Rockets, provided the Warriors with a blueprint for next season. The starting lineup, consisting of Curry, Podzemski, Moody, Butler and Green, is 16-3 in the regular season, with a net win of 17.9 points per 100 possessions, and all five have been locked into contracts for next season.

However, the squad still needs to be upgraded. The first-round game against the Rockets and Curry's absence exposed the team's need for a consistent third scoring spot, and the lack of size in the frontcourt needed to be addressed — the Warriors averaged the third-fewest interior points per game in the playoffs. To strike both boxes, the Warriors are expected to operate aggressively in both the free agent market and the trade market. Although there are no first-round picks in the June draft, the team has four future first-round picks (available for trade). The potential hurdle is how to scrape together the chips to make a blockbuster deal without involving Green, who already accounts for 85 percent of the team's salary cap.

Offseason financials

The departure of restricted free agent Kuminga will have a direct impact on the Warriors' operating space. If he is not re-contracted, the team's salary will be $17.5 million below the luxury tax line, and $25.5 million and $37 million below the two local tycoon lines, respectively. The Warriors can use the $14.1 million non-luxury tax mid-level exception, but they can't go past the first tier when the roster is full.

Management top priority

Butler's trade opened a championship window for the Warriors. "It's exciting that Butler gives us the opportunity to extend the championship cycle by a few years," head coach Kerr said in an interview with ESPN in April. Kerr's reference to "a few years" coincides with the remaining years of Butler's, Green's and Curry's contracts. And the key to how to take advantage of this short window may lie in Kuminga.

Kuminga has started 56 games over the past two seasons and averaged at least 15 points per game for two consecutive years, but his role was weakened at the end of the season and in the first round of the playoffs. "Frankly, the lineup with Butler, Kuminga and Green on the floor at the same time doesn't fit," Kerr admitted in an interview in April. When all three players play at the same time, the Warriors net minus 28.2 points per 100 possessions — although the lineup improved in the second round against the Timberwolves (Kuminga averaged 20.4 points per game and shot over 50 percent).

The Warriors are expected to make a $7.9 million one-year qualification offer to Kuminga, allowing him to maintain his restricted free agent status. The final course could be a two-way game: only the Brooklyn Nets can offer them a starting salary of more than $20 million (which the Warriors have the right to match), so a sign-and-trade may be the best option.

Renewal candidates to watch

Green: He signed a four-year contract in 2023 and is now eligible for a two-year extension ($36.3 million and $39.2 million, respectively). If the extension is completed, Green will turn 37 in the second year (by which time Curry and Butler's contracts have expired). The stats show that the Warriors have a net win of 6.7 points per 100 possessions when Green is on the floor and a net minus 1.2 points when they are absent. He finished third in the Defensive Player of the Year vote this season and is on track to be named to the All-Defensive Team for the ninth time.

Other candidates: Looney, Payton Jr., Jackson Davis

Team needs

Motorized basket guards

Stabilize the third scoring point

Depth in the front court

Defensive backup point guard (especially if Payton Jr. leaves)

Draft assets

Despite sending a 2025 first-round pick in the Butler trade, the Warriors still have four first-round picks available for trade: 2026, 2028, 2030 (if the lottery picks 1-20), and 2032, with the 2030 pick going to the Wizards if they fall out of the top 20. In addition, the team is eligible for a first-round pick swap for the next seven years, as well as a second-round pick.