Stephen Curry pushes the Warriors to sign and stays in touch with the player he wants

Jonathan Kuminga is reportedly growing increasingly frustrated with how his future is being handled.

One source even suggested the young forward feels like a “pawn” in Golden State‘s larger roster puzzle. And until his contract situation is sorted, the Warriors are hesitant to lock in other pending signings.

But not everyone is staying quiet. Steph Curry, the face of the franchise, is reportedly taking a more active role in pushing the team to finalize a reunion with defensive standout Gary Payton II.

“Steph Curry’s voice carries weight in Golden State, and once again the franchise cornerstone is making his stance clear. I’m told Curry has been in direct contact with Gary Payton II, pushing for the Warriors to bring the defensive ace back on a two-year deal,” NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson reported.

Payton wants to return, but Kuminga’s deal is holding everything up

The Warriors are believed to have informal agreements in place with veteran Al Horford, perimeter defender De’Anthony Melton, and Payton II. But according to Robinson and other league insiders, all three deals are currently on hold until the Kuminga issue is resolved.

Golden State’s hesitation to commit to any new signings before finalizing Kuminga‘s extension has created a bottleneck, one that is now affecting their ability to add key rotation players before the new season.

While the front office remains cautious, Curry appears eager to bring back Payton, who played a crucial role in the Warriors’ 2022 championship run. Payton’s defense, versatility, and chemistry with Curry made him one of the team’s most valuable glue guys, even if his stats (6.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists per game) don’t jump off the page.

“Payton II, who played an instrumental role in Golden State’s 2022 championship run, also wants to return. The mutual interest is there. And when Curry co-signs it, the conversation shifts from possibility to priority,” Robinson added.

Payton has made it clear that he’s eager to rejoin the Warriors, and with Curry personally advocating for his return, the move seems all but inevitable, assuming Kuminga’s contract is finalized in time.

Kuminga, who averaged 16.1 points and 4.8 rebounds last season, emerged as a bright spot during a turbulent campaign for the Warriors. But until his extension is inked, the Warriors’ front office is seemingly unwilling to finalize other roster changes, a decision that’s starting to draw scrutiny with the season just weeks away.