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Golden State Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy wants to keep Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody with the team for the foreseeable future.
He told reporters as much Thursday, adding there have been “positive conversations” between the team and players’ representatives about rookie contract extensions.
Both Kuminga and Moody are scheduled for restricted free agency after the 2024-25 campaign.
At some point, Golden State is going to fully transition away from the dynasty version of the team that won four championships and reached six NBA Finals from 2015 to 2022. It took a massive step toward doing just that when it didn’t bring Klay Thompson back for the 2024-25 season.
The sharp-shooter is now with the Dallas Mavericks.
Stephen Curry and Draymond Green are still in place, but the roster around them looks much different than it did during the championship peaks.
Kuminga (21) and Moody (22) are both young playmakers who can be featured pieces of the future Warriors teams that aren’t as reliant on the veterans. Given that reality, it comes as no surprise that Dunleavy is looking for ways to keep them in the fold beyond just the upcoming season.
Kuminga is already expected to be a key part of this season’s team after he enjoyed a breakout effort in 2023-24.
He averaged 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 52.9 percent from the field. Only Curry and Thompson averaged more points per game, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the young forward takes another leap with an even bigger role moving forward.
Moody hasn’t quite reached that level yet, but he also experienced a career-best season in 2023-24 and averaged 8.1 points and 3.0 rebounds per game while shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 36 percent from deep.
If he is also able to take another step, the Warriors could surprise some teams and contend in a loaded Western Conference even if they have an eye on the future.