The story of the Golden State Warriors’ summer has been restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, who remains at a standstill with the organization in contract negotiations.
Golden State's free agency signings have been held up due to negotiations with the promising young forward. The Warriors reportedly offered the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft a two-year, $45 million contract with a team option for 2026-27, which Kuminga appears unlikely to accept.
Kuminga is believed to be seeking more control over his future than the Warriors' current offer allows. Instead of committing to the two-year pact with a team option, he could accept his $7.9 million qualifying offer and play out the season with Golden State. While a player option could make the deal more appealing, the Warriors have yet to budge from the team option.
Jonathan Kuminga unlikely to accept Warriors’ $45 million offer
Kuminga has been floated as a potential sign-and-trade candidate, but the Warriors are not expected to pursue that path. Instead, the club hopes to sign Kuminga and keep the flexibility to trade him midseason. However, if a new deal isn't presented, all signs point toward the 22-year-old accepting his qualifying offer, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
“Unless they change their current offer, which the Warriors haven't given any indications that they will to this point, Kuminga will ultimately accept his qualifying offer,” Siegel wrote. “That wouldn't be the best scenario for Golden State, as all hopes to flip the young forward into value before the trade deadline would essentially disappear.”
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The Warriors hold some leverage in talks, as few teams have the cap space to offer Kuminga more money, but the former first-round pick can simply accept his qualifying offer and wait until next offseason to get paid.
If Kuminga accepts his qualifying offer, it would become much more difficult for Golden State to complete a midseason trade. There's little reason to trade for a player on an expiring contract midseason, unless a contender believes Kuminga could be the missing piece to a championship run.
The 6-foot-7 forward has showcased his potential despite inconsistent playing time in Golden State. Whether it comes this season or next, he appears likely to seek a new landing spot where he can grow into a top option.
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