3 reasons the Golden State Warriors could deal Jonathan Kuminga for 2023 lottery pick

2. Future payroll reasons

It would be a surprise given the Warriors have been more than willing to spend big over the last decade, but perhaps the front office and ownership is forecasting and looking to address the long-term payroll situation by dealing Kuminga now.

Kuminga will be extension eligible at the end of next season, with two years still remaining on his rookie deal. What if he were to come out next season and take even bigger strides, developing into a bonafide NBA player averaging 25+ minutes per game? That would be great for Golden State in the short-term, but what happens if that form is worthy of a contract in excess of $20 million per season?

The franchise’s payroll is already moving towards an unsustainable level, and that’s before potential extensions for Kuminga and fellow 2021 draftee Moses Moody. Something has to give and right now the Warriors appear committed to their core three — Curry, Green and Thompson — for at least next season and likely beyond.

While Kuminga developing into a 20+ million player would be a good problem to have, maybe the front office wants to rid the potential of getting to that scenario to begin with. A top ten pick will be on just as much, if not more than Kuminga for the next two seasons, yet Golden State may feel more comfortable in the knowledge they’ll have that player on a rookie deal for an additional two years after that.