Warriors might sign former Bucks 3-time All-Star, NBA champion this summer | Sporting News

If the Golden State Warriors were certain about investing in Jonathan Kuminga, they would have extended him this season.

They did not, and Kuminga might sign with another squad this summer in unrestricted free agency, especially if hes offered something in the realm of the $30 million per year deal hes rumored to be seeking.

The Warriors are spending a combined $140 million next season on Stephen Curry , Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green.

It might not benefit them to pay Kuminga enormous money from a roster-building standpoint.

If and when Kuminga does leave, the Warriors will likely check in on former Milwaukee Bucks NBA champion Khris Middleton, who has a $33.3 million player option for 2025-26.

Given his recent injury history, most people assume Middleton will opt-in and grab that $33.3 million, but what if the Warriors presented a multi-year deal to Middleton that equated to more total cash, but less per year? Such a contract might entice Middleton if hes thinking that he wouldnt have a ton of leverage entering unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2026 and about to turn 35.

Something like a three-year, $50 million deal might make Middleton bite, especially considering hed have the opportunity to play with Curry and Butler and ostensibly compete for a title again.

The competitor in Middleton would see Golden State as a far better basketball situation than Washington, with all due respect to the lowly Wizards.

The above figure is an arbitrary one, by the way well have to see how the market shakes up.

Middleton could be in line for more money or less if hes willing to opt-out.

Hes looked more athletic recently playing for the Wizards as compared with his final months with Milwaukee before he was traded in a deal that delivered Kyle Kuzma to the Bucks.

The three-time NBA All-Star is averaging 17.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per 36 minutes for Washington so far through eight games.

After undergoing arthroscopic surgeries on both ankles last offseason, Middleton might be poised for a bounce-back year in 2025-26 based on his recent production and spry step.

He would fit well on a team that gave birth to the Splash Brothers.

Middleton has always been a threat from three, but be also dominates in the midrange, sort of like Jimmy Butler.

According to NBA.coms John Schuhman, Middletons 58.5 percent from mid-range last season was the best mark for a player with at least 150 mid-range attempts in the 29 seasons for which we have shot-location data.

Middleton isnt getting any younger, but he actually fits on Golden States win-now timeline alongside Butler, Curry, and Green.

In fact, he makes much more sense from a timeline perspective than Kuminga does.

Warriors fans, keep an eye on this guy.

More NBA: Ranking the Top 10 Greatest Warriors Ever: Whats wrong with this list?.

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