With training camp just around the corner, NBA teams are beginning to come together to hold early practices without coaches, preparing themselves for the upcoming season, including the Golden State Warriors.
Jimmy Butler took it upon himself in his first full season in Golden State to organize his own players-only practices, and all of his Warriors teammates were in attendance.
Everyone, except restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga.
Jonathan Kuminga Skips Warriors Player-Organized Practices
According to a recent report from ESPN's Shams Charania, the disgruntled Warriors forward skipped out on the players-only practice due to his ongoing restricted free agency.
"The only player on the potential Warriors roster that isn’t there is restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. My understanding is he is not appearing at this team function," said Charania.
While it's easy to point to Kuminga's ongoing contract dispute with the Warriors as to why he wouldn't participate in Butler's practice, this wasn't something organized by Steve Kerr or any Golden State coaches, so the only people he's spurning are his teammates.
The former No. 7 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft has until October 1 to come a conclusion with the Warriors on his restricted free agency, and it's seeming increasingly likely that Kuminga will end up on the one-year qualifying offer.
The sticking point in negotiations, as Charania added in his report, has been Kuminga's request for a player option in any deal he would sign with the Warriors, and they don't seem inclined to give it to him.
Signing the qualifying offer gives Kuminga more control over his destiny, as it includes a no-trade clause and allows him to play one final year in the Bay Area before testing unrestricted free agency in the Summer of 2026.
As the negotiation window gets closer, and Kuminga's actions over the past few weeks indicate, this relationship is headed towards its end.
More Warriors news:
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- Warriors trade idea ships out Jonathan Kuminga for former Sixth Man of the Year runner-up
- Warriors trade idea ships Jonathan Kuminga to Western Conference rival for players and picks
- Warriors trade idea ships out Jonathan Kuminga for 3-and-D wing