Cedi Osman could be Golden State’s next big swing, with Jonathan Kuminga’s status still uncertain. Osman, 30, started for Cleveland and posted 10+ PPG across four seasons, then flashed EuroBasket shooting around 50% from three and sharp cuts with Alperen Şengün. LeBron James once mentored Osman during a Cavaliers run that showed his veteran poise. If Osman lands in Golden State, his floor spacers and off-ball movement could unlock Curry and Thompson in a retooled playoff-ready rotation.

Osman’s current Spurs stint has been limited, but his national-team form hints at upside in a new system. The Warriors’ roster gaps—with Kuminga in limbo and veteran options like Horford and Melton reportedly waiting—make Osman a low-risk, high-reward candidate. The narrative weaves LeBron’s mentorship with Osman’s EuroBasket resurgence, framing a potential malignant fit for GS’s spacing, defense, and depth.

Kuminga's holdout keeps the Warriors anchored to a cap-crossroad as training camp looms. He faces two paths: a one-year, $7.9M qualifying offer to hit free agency sooner, or a two-year, $45M deal that meaningfully raises this season's pay but boosts trade risk. Golden State has not pursued sign-and-trade with Sacramento or Phoenix, narrowing options. Until resolved, cap space blocks other moves, delaying veterans like Al Horford and De'Anthony Melton and shaping this season's rotation and long-term plan.

Golden State's 2025-26 outlook centers on Curry and Green as the steady core, with nine players signed and Jonathan Kuminga's future in flux. Horford, Melton and Payton II could bolster defense and depth if Kuminga stays or moves via a sign-and-trade. Green’s upbeat tone and Butler’s offseason pairing with him hint at a deeper playoff push once the roster is stabilized. The Warriors must navigate aging cores, upside, and cap implications for a sharper Western run.

Injuries to Curry and Butler in the previous run underscored the need for reliable wings and veteran glue. If Kuminga remains, he carries seismic upside; if traded, the rotation shifts to balance youth with veteran presences. The mix hinges on Kuminga’s deal, the arrival of Horford/Melton/GP II, and a durable, defense-first trajectory around Curry and Green.