The Golden State Warriors face a pivotal decision this offseason regarding Jonathan Kuminga, their talented forward who will become a restricted free agent in 2025. The question looming large: will the Warriors lock Kuminga up on a long-term deal, or will they be forced to trade him due to a protracted contract stalemate?
Kuminga, 22, signed a four-year rookie contract worth about $24.9 million, carrying club options for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. His 2025-26 salary would escalate to nearly $23 million if the Warriors pick up his qualifying offer, a one-year deal worth roughly $8 million, which Kuminga can elect to accept while testing the market the following offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
The crux of the dilemma is Kuminga's reluctance to accept the Warriors' current offers. According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, Kuminga is in no hurry to sign and is exploring his options, including potential sign-and-trade possibilities with other teams like the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings. These teams have reportedly made more lucrative offers, enticing Kuminga with prospects of increased playing time and a more defined role than the Warriors currently envision for him.
Why does this matter so much for Golden State? As one anonymous NBA executive bluntly stated to The Athletic, if Kuminga takes the qualifying offer, "the Warriors are f—ked from a team-building standpoint." The qualifying offer effectively restricts Golden State's flexibility: it would give Kuminga the right to veto any trade sent his way during that one-year deal, and the Warriors' ability to move him in a sign-and-trade is severely hampered because the salary is too low to facilitate trades that bring back significant assets. The Warriors ideally want Kuminga to sign a mid-range contract around $25 million that would provide both control and trade leverage.
From Kuminga's perspective, accepting the qualifying offer is a gamble on himself. It carries the risk of injury or a down year but grants him unrestricted free agency after one season, potentially opening the door to a more lucrative market in 2026. His camp appears willing to wait and see if other teams will offer a sign-and-trade that satisfies both the player and the Warriors, as re-signing on Golden State’s terms currently is not appealing.
Statistically and performance-wise, Kuminga has shown flashes of elite defensive versatility and athleticism, with improving offensive skills. His ability to guard multiple positions and impact the game dynamically aligns with the Warriors’ championship formula, but the team and player agree less on his role and compensation.
This impasse creates risk for the Warriors, who must decide whether to continue negotiations, potentially sweetening the deal to keep Kuminga long-term, or face the real possibility of losing control over him or having little trading leverage if he signs the qualifying offer. The Warriors' cap situation and roster construction also factor in heavily, as locking Kuminga into a max or near-max contract could limit their long-term flexibility.
The Warriors’ decision to trade Jonathan Kuminga or lock him up depends on the evolving negotiation dynamics and Kuminga’s willingness to sign a deal that balances his earning potential with the team’s need for roster control. Until now, the standoff suggests both sides are keeping their options open, with sign-and-trade possibilities being actively explored. This uncertainty makes Kuminga's offseason saga one of the most intriguing and consequential storylines for Golden State’s future in the NBA.
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