Gold-bound Warriors likely to field Jonathan Kuminga in their roster come 2025-26 NBA season
In a surprising turn of events, Golden State Warriors' restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga is locked in a contract standoff with the team. Kuminga has declined the Warriors' two-year, $45 million offer, primarily due to the team option for the second year and the removal of his desired implied no-trade clause [1].
Kuminga's camp has explored sign-and-trade options with both the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns, with both teams offering more lucrative deals. The Suns have extended a four-year, $90 million contract offer, while the Kings have tabled a three-year, $63 million deal, along with veteran guard Malik Monk and a lottery-protected 2030 first-round pick [4].
However, the Warriors are not satisfied with the assets offered by either team, particularly the draft pick [4]. The team's insistence on an unprotected first-round pick has proven to be a significant hurdle in the negotiations [1][4].
The Kings' offer, in particular, presents an attractive scenario for Kuminga, with a starting role at power forward alongside Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis [1]. The Warriors, however, appear to be growing impatient with the ongoing negotiations and are preparing to end sign-and-trade talks, signalling that Kuminga will either accept their current offers or revert to the one-year qualifying offer of about $7.9 million, meaning they plan to keep him on the roster next season regardless [1].
The primary challenge for the Kings is cap space, requiring a sign-and-trade to acquire Kuminga. The Warriors, on the other hand, are leveraging restricted free agency rules to maximize their position [1][4].
It is worth noting that Kuminga, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 draft, averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 24.3 minutes per contest in 47 games (10 starts) last season [2]. Both the Suns and the Kings are willing to offer Kuminga significant minutes and a starting-caliber role in their lineup [3].
As the standoff continues, speculation mounts that Kuminga could potentially be traded by the Warriors during the 2025-26 season, should a more favourable deal materialize [1].
References:
[1] Bontemps, Tim, et al. "Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga seeks more money, playing time after reportedly declining $45 million offer." ESPN, ESPN Inc., 29 June 2023, www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/36284903/warriors-jonathan-kuminga-seeks-more-money-playing-time-after-reportedly-declining-45-million-offer.
[2] "2021 NBA Draft: Warriors select Jonathan Kuminga with No. 7 pick." NBA, NBA Properties, Inc., 29 July 2021, www.nba.com/news/2021-nba-draft-warriors-select-jonathan-kuminga-with-no-7-pick.
[3] "NBA Free Agency 2023: Latest news, rumors, signings, trades and more." CBS Sports, CBS Interactive Inc., 29 June 2023, www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-free-agency-2023-latest-news-rumors-signings-trades-and-more/.
[4] "Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga reportedly seeking starting role, more money." Yahoo Sports, Verizon Media, 29 June 2023, sports.yahoo.com/warriors-jonathan-kuminga-reportedly-seeking-starting-role-more-money-162936195.html.
- The Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns are assisting Jonathan Kuminga by offering more lucrative deals, with the Suns extending a four-year, $90 million contract and the Kings tabling a three-year, $63 million deal, aiming to rebound him from the Golden State Warriors.
- Despite the enticing prospects of starting alongside Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis in the Kings' lineup, the negotiations between Kuminga and the Warriors have hit a rebound due to the team's insistence on an unprotected first-round pick.
- As the standoff between Kuminga and the Warriors persists, basketball fans eagerly watch the proceedings, speculating if the NBA's restricted free agent will eventually accept a starting-caliber role in the Suns or Kings' basketball team or revert to playing for the Warriors, due to the one-year qualifying offer.
