How Jonathan Kuminga Re-Signing With Warriors Affects NBA Free Agency

After a long-drawn-out process, the Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga have put an end to the negotiations. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Kuminga is set to sign a two-year, $48.5 million contract to return to the team that drafted him seventh overall in the 2021 NBA Draft.

While there was plenty of speculation around the qualifying offer and the deadline approaching for it on October 1st, Kuminga's camp gets the deal done a day before the buzzer. Charania's reporting indicates that trades will be explored once Kuminga's recently signed trade restriction lifts in January, but what about the immediate impact of this deal?

The Domino Effect Of Kuminga's Move

Breaking: Ending a summer-long stalemate, Jonathan Kuminga has agreed to a two-year, $48.5 million contract to return to the Golden State Warriors, agent Aaron Turner told ESPN. The deal has a team option designed for the contract to be ripped up and renegotiated next summer. pic.twitter.com/Xnklx7O0DD
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 30, 2025

Kuminga's signing leaves the Philadelphia 76ers' Quentin Grimes as the lone restricted free agent without a deal in place for next season, as he has until Wednesday at midnight Eastern time to decide on the qualifying offer. However, Grimes isn't necessarily affected by Kuminga's signing, but rather the other free agents that remain on the market.

One name that pops to the top of the list is Seth Curry, as he was rumored alongside Al Horford, De'Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II to join the Warriors. According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, a player can still be brought in to fill that 15th roster spot for Golden State, "but not until the early part the regular season."

Jonathan Kuminga has a Jan. 15 trade restriction.

Golden State retains flexibility to sign a 15th player but not until the early part the regular season.

They will be hard capped at the 2nd apron after Al Horford signs for the $5.7M tax ML.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) September 30, 2025

If Seth doesn't have any other teams seeking his services, he could very well stay put to sign on as that 15th player and have a chance to play alongside his brother for the first time in his career.

Looking at players outside of Golden State's radar, now the attention is on veterans Ben Simmons and Russell Westbrook to see what their next move is. Westbrook has been heavily rumored to the Sacramento Kings this offseason, and now that they won't acquire Kuminga via a sign-and-trade, they could look to get a deal done before the season if he's still a top priority.

Russell Westbrook might not be in the NBA next season, per @JakeLFischer

“The Kings are the one home for Russell Westbrook if he’s going to be in the NBA at all.” pic.twitter.com/aSoRF2Pv7a
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) August 20, 2025

As for Simmons, the outlook for him is unpromising. Reports indicated he turned down a deal with the New York Knicks, leading to him and his representation parting ways. Training is already underway, so unless Simmons decides to join a team midseason, his future in the NBA truly looks uncertain.

Once Grimes makes his decision in Philadelphia, free agency may not see any action until the start of the season. However, Kuminga's re-signing could put into motion some smaller moves around the edges of rosters with roster space.

The Domino Effect Of Kuminga's Move

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