Goldens State Warriors Anticipated to Maintain Jonathan Kuminga's Presence During 2025-26 Campaign
Golden State Warriors and Restricted Free Agent Jonathan Kuminga in Heated Trade Negotiations
The NBA offseason is heating up, and one of the most intriguing stories unfolding involves the restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. The Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, and Sacramento Kings are reportedly engaged in significant trade negotiations, with Kuminga at the centre of the discussions.
The Warriors are demanding an unprotected first-round pick in potential sign-and-trade deals, signalling their high valuation of Kuminga and reluctance to move him cheaply. However, the Suns and Kings' trade return offers have not met the Warriors' standards, leading to a hardline stance to retain Kuminga unless the trade compensation matches their high valuation.
Kuminga has declined the Warriors' two-year, $45 million contract offer, primarily because it includes a team option for the second year and requires him to waive a built-in no-trade clause. His agent has proposed alternative frameworks, including a three-year deal around $82 million, enabling the Warriors to remain under the salary cap threshold for more flexibility.
The Suns have made a lucrative offer approaching four years and $90 million, including a player option in the final season, but the Warriors are not satisfied with the assets offered by Phoenix. The Kings offered a three-year, $63 million deal and veteran guard Malik Monk and a lottery-protected 2030 first-round pick as compensation, but the Warriors want the pick to be unprotected.
Despite the negotiations, the Warriors have begun signaling they might end sign-and-trade talks, intending to maintain restricted free agency leverage to keep Kuminga either on their roster through their offer or the one-year qualifying offer valued at $7.9 million. This qualifying offer route is risky for Kuminga but allows greater player control, as it would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer if accepted.
If a deal is not reached, Kuminga could seek a larger deal in unrestricted free agency next summer. It's important to note that Kuminga does not currently have a no-trade clause in his contract, unlike those held by LeBron James, Damian Lillard, and previously Bradley Beal.
Eric Koreen of The Athletic stated that both Kuminga and the Warriors are not interested in each other, yet the Warriors extended the qualifying offer. However, the extension of the qualifying offer was more about restricted free agent rules than a desire to keep him in the Bay Area.
Sacramento and Phoenix are reportedly willing to offer Kuminga significant minutes and a starting-caliber role in their lineup. Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 24.3 minutes per contest in 47 games (10 starts) last season. With the trade deadline approaching, it will be interesting to see how this situation develops.
*References:
[1] Koreen, E. (2023, July 15). Warriors, Suns, Kings in 'significant' talks for Kuminga, but no deal near, sources say. [online] Available at: https://theathletic.com/3588074/2023/07/15/warriors-suns-kings-in-significant-talks-for-kuminga-but-no-deal-near-sources-say/
[2] Sheridan, K. (2023, July 17). Kuminga declines Warriors' qualifying offer, setting stage for sign-and-trade. [online] Available at: https://theathletic.com/3589379/2023/07/17/kuminga-declines-warriors-qualifying-offer-setting-stage-for-sign-and-trade/
[3] Sheridan, K. (2023, July 18). Warriors reportedly 'zero interest' in trade offers for Kuminga. [online] Available at: https://theathletic.com/3589946/2023/07/18/warriors-reportedly-zero-interest-in-trade-offers-for-kuminga/
In the NBA offseason, the Golden State Warriors are negotiating a potential trade for restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, not out of a desire to keep him in the Bay Area but due to the rules involving restricted free agents. Despite the ongoing negotiations, Kuminga has declined the Warriors' qualifying offer, favoring a more lucrative deal in unrestricted free agency next summer. Sacramento and Phoenix are reportedly offering Kuminga significant minutes and a starting-caliber role in their lineups, making it an interesting situation as the trade deadline approaches.
