SAN FRANCISCO – The Warriors’ season may have ended against Minnesota in the second round, but Golden State still has plenty of important events over the next few months that will shape the franchise’s future.
When will the Warriors need to make a decision on Jonathan Kuminga’s future?
What day will general manager Mike Dunleavy try to find the next second-round gem in the draft?
When can Golden State sign free agents who will help bolster another charge at NBA championship No. 5 of the Steph Curry era?
Big questions loom for the Warriors this offseason. Here are the key dates fans should know about.
NBA Draft: June 25-26
Even if the Warriors don’t trade up for a first-round pick in one of the more intriguing drafts in several years, Golden State still has a second-round pick at No. 41.
Golden State has a track record of success in that round, picking Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis over the past two seasons. And back in 2012, the Warriors selected Draymond Green with the No. 36 pick. Jordan Bell and Patrick McCaw are also recent second-rounders who earned roles on the team.
Deadline for player/team options and qualifying offers for restricted free agents: June 29
The Warriors will likely make a qualifying offer to Jonathan Kuminga, and thus have the opportunity to match any offer another team gives to the fourth-year forward who was the No. 7 pick in the 2021 draft. The Warriors could also facilitate a sign-and-trade with Kuminga.
Kuminga averaged 24.3 points per game against Minnesota after being thrust into a featured role once Curry was lost to injury. His role was drastically reduced after returning from a severe ankle injury after the Warriors acquired Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline..
Rookie standout Post and high-energy forward Gui Santos both have team options and are expected to be back.
Start of NBA free agency negotiations: June 30 (July 6 to sign)
The Warriors’ cap situation will be determined by what happens with Kuminga, who could free up room should he leave for another team. With the three superstars eating up significant cap space, the Warriors are not expected to sign any major free agents.
Dunleavy, who said nothing is off the table this offseason, could still wheel and deal a trade for a bigger name.
The Warriors will also have to decide whether or not to bring back longtime contributors Kevon Looney and Gary Payton.
Looney, 29, played 15 minutes per game and averaged 6.1 rebounds a night as a reserve center. Payton, 32, played in 62 games and was considered the team’s top perimeter defender.
Deep reserves Pat Spencer and Kevin Knox are also entering restricted free agency.
NBA Summer League: July 10-20
Barring a blockbuster trade, the Warriors probably won’t have a highly touted rookie playing in the summer circuit. But the 10-day league has long been a place for second-year rotation players to put up monster stats against training camp hopefuls.
Post should be the next in a long line of sophomores who feast against future overseas role players, assistant coaches and office workers.
The second-year stretch big out of Boston College became an integral part of the Warriors’ rotation in the second half of the season, averaging 8.1 points per game and shooting 40.8% from 3-point distance, and will likely not play the entire Summer League slate.
Training camp opens: Late September/early October
NBA teams reconvene just after the calendar turns to autumn to prepare for the new season, with preseason games starting in early October. The Warriors will start their quest for the fifth title of the Curry era, with Butler expected to benefit from having an entire training camp and preseason to acclimate to his teammates.
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