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The Golden State Warriors just had one of their busiest weekends in years, and it couldn’t come at a more critical time for the franchise.
With Steph Curry still at the heart of everything, the Warriors made multiple moves on Sunday, locking in veterans and rookies to reload their roster for the 2025–26 season.
It started with Al Horford.
The 19-year vet, who just won a championship with the Boston Celtics in 2024, is now leaving Beantown to join Golden State. He signed a multi-year deal to become the Warriors’ starting center. That’s right—Horford, at nearly 40, will be anchoring the middle for Steph and the crew. The fit? Honestly, it’s kind of perfect. The Warriors have lacked a reliable, consistent big man ever since Kevon Looney departed. Horford brings defense, spacing, and playoff experience that could help extend the Steph Curry era one more year, maybe even two.
But Horford wasn’t the only addition.
Gary Payton II, one of the most beloved role players during the Warriors’ last championship run, is back. Payton committed to another deal, keeping his perimeter defense and hustle plays in the Bay. Alongside him, De’Anthony Melton is joining the squad. Melton is basically a younger version of Payton in some ways—he brings defense, energy, and can knock down threes. Between the two of them, the Warriors just seriously boosted their backcourt depth.
And then, there are the rookies.
Golden State wasted no time investing in their draft picks. No. 52 pick Alex Toohey signed a two-way contract, while No. 56 pick Will Richard got a four-year deal with two years fully guaranteed. That’s a major sign of trust. For a late second-rounder like Richard to already get guaranteed money, the Warriors clearly believe in his upside. Toohey, meanwhile, gives them flexibility—he’ll probably bounce between Santa Cruz (their G-League affiliate) and the main roster, but he’s a name to watch.
So, that’s Horford, Payton, Melton, Toohey, and Richard—five roster moves in one weekend. That’s insane. It shows Golden State’s front office is not messing around.
But even with all these moves, there’s one problem that overshadows everything: Jonathan Kuminga.
Kuminga is supposed to be the future of the franchise.
He’s their most athletic, dynamic young piece, and for stretches last year, he looked like the second-best Warrior behind Steph. But he’s a restricted free agent, and right now, there’s no deal. In fact, Kuminga isn’t even expected to show up to media day. That’s a huge red flag.
For the Warriors, this is a big deal. On one hand, they’ve got their veteran support locked in—Horford, Payton, Melton. On the other, they’ve made smart rookie investments. But without Kuminga, there’s a gaping hole in the middle of their lineup. If he doesn’t return, Golden State will be older, slower, and missing one of the only players who can actually bridge the gap between Curry’s present and the Warriors’ future.
So where does this leave the Warriors?
Honestly, in a strange but fascinating place. This roster has the bones of a win-now team, but it also has rookies who could grow into something more. Steph still has enough left in the tank to compete, and now with Horford in the middle, Golden State finally has an experienced big who won’t fold in the playoffs. Payton and Melton give them defense and versatility, and if the rookies develop quickly, that’s a bonus.
But everything hinges on Kuminga. If the Warriors find a way to keep him, they’ve got the balance of youth and experience that could make them scary again. If they lose him, then no matter how much they reload, it’s hard to imagine them keeping up with teams like Denver, Boston, or even a retooled OKC.
The crazy part? All of this is happening with the qualifying offer deadline for Kuminga just days away. Golden State has until Wednesday to make a decision, and right now, it feels like the entire franchise is holding its breath.
For Warriors fans, this weekend was a mix of excitement and anxiety. Excitement because the team made aggressive moves that show they’re not giving up. Anxiety because the future of their best young player still hangs in the balance.
Golden State is cooking again, but whether it’s a five-star meal or just a quick snack all depends on what happens with Jonathan Kuminga.
