NBA Free Agency Restriction: Jonathan Kuminga Potentially Choosing Qualifying Offer to Gamble on His Career Progression
Top NBA Restricted Free Agents Shaping the Offseason
The 2025 offseason is shaping up to be an exciting one, with several top restricted free agents attracting interest from various teams. Among them are Jonathan Kuminga, Josh Giddey, Quentin Grimes, and Cam Thomas.
Jonathan Kuminga
The Golden State Warriors' young forward, Kuminga, is one of the most sought-after restricted players this offseason. Teams like the Miami Heat have expressed interest in acquiring him, possibly via trade. Kuminga's value is high, and trade interest could surface if circumstances evolve.
Josh Giddey
Recently traded to the Chicago Bulls, Giddey is the top-ranked restricted free agent according to analyst rankings. The Bulls are likely to retain him, but given his value, there could be trade interest if circumstances change.
Quentin Grimes
Grimes is also among the top restricted free agents, with some trade and negotiation speculation in the background. Details on trade targets or contract talks have not been widely reported, but he's on the same radar as Kuminga and Giddey.
Cam Thomas
While not explicitly ranked in the top few free agents lists, Thomas remains a notable player. Details on trade interest or negotiations in 2025 are limited, but his restricted free agent status places him under consideration for potential trades or extension talks.
Negotiation and Qualifying Offers
- James Kuminga is more inclined to sign the qualifying offer from the Warriors for $7.9 million, rather than the two-year, $45 million contract offered by the team.
- Cam Thomas is most likely to take the $6 million qualifying offer from the Brooklyn Nets for the next season, making him an unrestricted free agent next summer.
- If Grimes takes the qualifying offer from the Sixers, he could have opportunities to prove his value to other teams if injuries hit the Sixers again.
Contract Offers and Salary Expectations
- The Bulls offered a four-year, $80 million deal to Josh Giddey when free agency opened on June 30, which he declined.
- Josh Giddey wants a salary in the $30 million-a-year range, similar to James Kuminga. However, the Warriors are unwilling to offer Kuminga an Annual Average Value (AAV) in the $30 million range due to his struggle to carve out a consistent role in Steve Kerr's system.
- The Warriors have offered Kuminga an Athletic Forward contract for two years and $45 million, but he seeks an AAV in the $30 million range.
- The Sixers are confident they can re-sign Terrence Grimes, who averaged nearly 22 points in 28 games with the team after being traded from the Mavericks.
- The Bulls seem to be comfortable waiting for Giddey to agree to a lower salary, as there are few teams with cap space to give him the type of deal he wants.
Trade Scenarios
- The Warriors would rather trade James Kuminga for assets, rather than letting him walk for free next summer. They have rejected a trade offer from the Kings that included Malik Monk and a lottery-protected 2030 first-round pick for Kuminga.
- The Chicago Bulls have been identified as a possible sign-and-trade partner for the Warriors, with a reported interest in guard Josh Giddey.
Conclusion
The full outcomes of these players’ 2025 free agency situations remain unfolding. The NBA salary cap constraints and team roster strategies continue to influence negotiations. As of the latest August 2025 reports, no finalized trade deals specifically involving Kuminga, Giddey, or Grimes have been confirmed. The offseason is shaping up to be an exciting one, with these top restricted free agents attracting interest from various teams.
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