Kuminga and Warriors: Stalled negotiations, qualified offer in sight?

Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors: A Contractual Stagnation

Jonathan Kuminga’s future with the Golden State Warriors hangs in the balance. According to his agent, Aaron Turner, the player is willing to accept the $8 million qualifying offer if the Warriors do not improve their current proposal.

“There is a lot of potential. He wants to choose where he wants to go. So the qualified offer is real, for sure,” Turner stated in an interview.

Aaron Turner, Jonathan Kuminga’s agent

The Warriors have presented Kuminga, 22, with three different offers. The most attractive is a three-year, $75.2 million contract, with a team option in the third season, guaranteeing Kuminga $48.3 million in the first two years. He has also been offered a two-year, $45 million contract with a team option in the second season, and a three-year, $54 million contract without options. So far, Kuminga has rejected all offers, requesting that the Warriors convert the team option into a player option, which he would sign.

Jonathan Kuminga, in an archive image.The Warriors have refused to include a player option in any offer and have not commented on the status of negotiations.

“If the Warriors want to win now, if they want a player who is happy and treated fairly, which is an important part of this team, we believe they should give the player the option,” added Turner.

Aaron Turner, Jonathan Kuminga’s agent

If Kuminga signs the qualifying offer, he would forgo more than $40 million guaranteed over the next two seasons. However, he would gain unrestricted free agency next summer and an inherent no-trade clause, a high price to control his own destiny. Kuminga has been exploring his options in the market, including opinions external to the Warriors organization. The Sacramento Kings and the Phoenix Suns have shown a more aggressive interest in the player. Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. stated that the team was in a “good position” with Kuminga, but this has not resulted in an agreement. The Warriors owner, Joe Lacob, met with Kuminga in Miami in August to try to resolve the contract dispute, but negotiations have dragged on into September. The key point is that Kuminga is seeking a player option, something the Warriors have rejected. Turner has said that Kuminga would be willing to accept a team option deal if the Warriors increase the annual figure to around $30 million, or accept the current deals if they include a player option. Otherwise, they threaten to accept the qualifying offer, which would hurt his trade value. Jonathan Kuminga’s contract situation with the Golden State Warriors remains unresolved as the season approaches.