Warriors Projected To Finalize Roster Before Training Camp Next Week With The Addition Of Handful Of Free Agents

After months of rumors and give and take, the Golden State Warriors reportedly know who will be part of their 2025 -26 roster. According to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Warriors will be officially adding several players once Jonathan Kuminga signs.

“There is a strong expectation leaguewide now that the Warriors will also be signing Seth Curry in addition to the Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II trio,” Stein wrote. “Golden State currently has six roster spots open. It’s believed they will be filled by Horford, Melton, Payton, Stephen Curry‘s younger brother Seth, second-round pick Will Richard, and, of course, Kuminga.”

Warriors Projected To Finalize Roster Before Training Camp Next Week With The Addition Of A Handful Of Free Agents

Kuminga, after posting career numbers in 2023-24, is coming off an inconsistent year, having dealt with injuries and an undefined role. The gifted 22-year-old forward did close out the Warriors’ playoff run last season by pouring in at least 18 points in four straight games.

Kuminga, whose qualifying offer is worth $7.9 million, reportedly came into the offseason seeking around $30 million per year. After holding relatively steady at about $23.5 million a season over two years, the Warriors recently upped their offer to three seasons for $75.2 million with a team option for the final campaign.

Ashish Matur of the Dallas Hoops Journal said that Kuminga rejected the Warriors’ last offer because he prefers a player option over a team option. Matur added that Kuminga and his representatives had a three-year, $82 million offer — including a player option in Year 3- that was quickly rebuffed by the Warriors.

There is no word whether Kuminga will sign the three-year deal or take the qualifying offer. However, Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Taylor, previously told The Hoop Collective podcast that taking the qualifying offer is a realistic option.

“There’s a lot of upside,” Turner said. “He wants to pick where he wants to go. So the QO is real for sure.”

Golden State Projected Financials With Free Agent Signings

As mentioned above, the Golden State has nine players under contract with a salary cap hit of $170.5 million. Let’s say that Kuminga does indeed accept the qualifying offer. That would increase the Warriors’ cap hit to about $180.4 million, leaving them about $28 million under the second apron.

Assuming the Warriors use a portion of their mid-level exception to sign Kuminga, that would mean they would have about $6.2 million left. Horford, who would be the Warriors’ top target among the players mentioned, is expected to be offered the taxpayer mid-level exception of $5.7 million, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater and Shams Charania. He could earn a little more with Kuminga taking the qualifying offer, though don’t expect it to be much more.

Horford is the key for the Warriors despite his declining production. As the 39-year-old center would provide a center who can space the floor and is an excellent passer. He also sets solid screens and is a physical defender in the low post.

The other three veterans will likely sign for the veteran minimum to meet the salary cap requirements. However, each player will likely receive more than that, given their years of service.

Melton and Curry should have a role on the Warriors’ second unit as both players can facilitate the offense and shoot it from the 3-point line. Melton probably has the edge in terms of playing time, as he is the better defender. However, Melton is coming off a gruesome injury and has been sidelined since mid-November.

Will Richard and the Warriors Two-way Spots

Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Curry is one of the best shooters in the league, as he connects on 3.8 threes at a 43.3% clip for his career. Curry led the league in 3-point p three-point shooting last year, making 45.6% of his attempts. Meanwhile, Payton II is an efficient shooter and superb defender.

Richard projects to be added to the NBA second-round exception. Richard, the No. 56 pick in the 2025 draft, was acquired by the Warriors in exchange for the draft rights to Justinian Jessup, the draft rights to Jahmai Mashack, and a conditional 2032 2nd round pick. He started all six of his summer league games, tallying 11.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals. He hit double-figures in five of six games while posting splits of 43.3/20.7/92.9.

Even if Richard remains on the team all season long, it would be surprising if he saw action in 20 games for Golden State. So, expect the 6-4 wing to shuttle between Santa Cruz, the Warriors’ G-League affiliate, and Golden State quite often.

Other Options

If Richard does indeed get a standard contract, that would mean the Warriors will carry 15 players on standard deals. Now, it is conceivable that the Warriors decide to have just 14 players on standard contracts to begin the campaign for flexibility purposes. In that case, Richards would join Jackson Rowe, who is currently the only player to sign a two-way deal, on a minor league contract.

Depending on whether Richard Deal is a standard or two-way contract, it will determine Golden State’s course of action. The Warriors have a qualifying offer to Taran Armstrong. Armstrong signed a two-way deal with the Dubs for last season in February. The 23-year-old Australian showed well in his 11 games with Santa Cruz.

Regardless, Alex Toohey appears destined for one of the Warriors’ minor league spots. Toohey was selected by the Phoenix with the 52nd pick in this year’s draft, but was shipped to Golden State as part of the bigger Kevin Durant deal. The 6-8 forward is raw but oozing with potential. However, it is possible that the Warriors could stash Toohey overseas or in the G League this season without signing him.

Now, if for some reason Toohey or Armstrong isn’t inked to a two-way deal by the time training camp starts, LJ Cryer or Chance McMillan could end up with a deal. Cryer and McMillan have Exhibit 10 deals.