Kuminga Seeking New Deal: Stalled Negotiations with the Warriors
Jonathan Kuminga, a restricted free agent, is in no rush to sign the final contract offer from the Golden State Warriors, as revealed in an interview after a morning workout in Miami.
Kuminga’s stagnation with the Warriors could be prolonged significantly during the summer, as he explores other opportunities.
The Warriors’ management, led by Mike Dunleavy, has shown great interest in the conversations with Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, presenting an offer they consider fair. However, Kuminga has not found the proposal attractive, which keeps the negotiations at a standstill.
This situation has put other Warriors operations on hold in the summer market, being the only NBA team that has not yet signed or traded any player.
During the period prior to free agency, no contractual figures were exchanged between the Warriors and Kuminga. Turner has been seeking “sign-and-trade” opportunities, with the most tangible interest from the Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings.
Both teams are in conversations, but they haven’t presented an offer that convinces the Warriors. They are looking for a promising young player and a first-round pick in any potential “sign-and-trade” deal.
The restricted free agent market has been limited due to the lack of salary cap space in the league. The Warriors anticipated this situation and believe they have offered Kuminga the highest starting salary currently available.
Although they were optimistic about their most recent offer, Kuminga did not accept it. His team will continue to look for “sign-and-trade” opportunities, also considering the Warriors’ qualifying offer.
Kuminga has a current offer of one year and $7.9 million that the Warriors can no longer withdraw. He has until October 1st to accept it. If he opts for this option, Kuminga would give up some immediate money, but would return with an expiring contract and a no-trade clause, which would give him the most control over his long-term career.
Meanwhile, the Warriors have been cautious and haven’t finalized any other official personnel operations until Kuminga’s situation is resolved, which provides them with the greatest possible financial and roster flexibility.
The Warriors are looking for a veteran shooter at the center position and have identified Al Horford as their main target since the start of free agency. They also have mutual interest in De’Anthony Melton and Seth Curry as options for the bench.
However, it all depends on Kuminga, whose agreement is the priority of the summer for the Warriors. In addition to the contractual demands, Kuminga seeks a more consistent starting role and prominent opportunities. That is a proposal that the Suns and the Kings have made.
Kuminga would be an important part of the Warriors’ rotation at the start of next season, and they would need his scoring in the games in which Steph Curry or Jimmy Butler rest.
Coach Steve Kerr has spoken with Kuminga about this in recent weeks. Kerr has been one of the main voices trying to work things out.
But Kuminga no longer wants to be a secondary option or a backup plan, fearing minimization in important moments. He scored 18, 30, 23, and 26 points in the last four playoff games against the Minnesota Timberwolves after Curry was injured. However, Kuminga was completely out of the rotation in the first round against the Houston Rockets, a painful memory that helps shape his current mindset. Therefore, he will continue to look for a possible fresh start during the summer.
