Jonathan Kuminga, a restricted free agent, is in no rush to sign the final contract offer from the Golden State Warriors, as reported to Alofoke Deportes after a morning workout in Miami. Kuminga’s standstill with the Warriors could extend significantly during the offseason, as the player explores other options.
The general management and the Warriors’ board of directors showed greater interest this week in conversations with Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, presenting what they consider a fair offer for Kuminga to return for a fifth season, despite the unstable four-year relationship that preceded it.
However, Kuminga has not found any of the presented proposals attractive, so negotiations will continue without advancing, which will likely keep other Warriors operations on hold during the offseason. They are the only NBA team that has not signed or negotiated for a player this summer.
The Warriors and Kuminga did not exchange contract figures before the start of free agency. Turner has spent much of July looking for “sign-and-trade” opportunities, garnering the most tangible interest from the Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings, according to sources close to the league.
Both teams remain on the sidelines of these conversations, trying to involve the Warriors in possible packages, but without offering anything that has advanced the situation. The Warriors do not want to add what they consider a bad salary, they would like a promising young player and have remained firm in their request for a first-round pick in any “sign-and-trade” conversation for Kuminga, according to league sources. Phoenix doesn’t even have a first-round pick available to trade.
This has been a cold market for restricted free agents due to the lack of salary cap space in the league. The Warriors anticipated that situation and believe they have offered Kuminga the highest starting salary currently on the table for him.
They were optimistic about their most recent proposal, but Kuminga didn’t accept it. His team will continue to look for “sign-and-trade” opportunities in the league in the hope that something will come up. They also have Golden State’s qualifying offer as an option.Jonathan Kuminga is seeking a more guaranteed and consistent starting role, as well as a greater opportunity for participation, according to sources.
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 that route, Kuminga would give up some immediate money, but would return with an expiring contract with an inherent no-trade clause, which would give him the greatest level of long-term control over his career that he has had.
Meanwhile, the Warriors have been careful not to close any other official personnel matters until Kuminga’s situation is resolved, leaving them with the greatest possible financial and roster flexibility, considering the unpredictable nature of the situation.
But they have drawn up some clear plans. 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. It is said that Horford is still considering his retirement, but the Warriors are believed to be the big favorites to sign him once the situation is clarified.
The Warriors also have mutual interest in De’Anthony Melton and Seth Curry as options off the bench, according to sources. Melton made a big impression in his six games with the Warriors last season before tearing his ACL. They like how he fits on defense alongside Steph Curry and have identified Seth Curry, Steph’s brother, as a necessary shooter off the bench with an obvious family connection.
But it all goes back to Kuminga, whose contract is the most important topic of the summer for the Warriors. Beyond the contractual demands, Kuminga seeks a more guaranteed and consistent starting role, as well as a greater opportunity for participation, according to sources. That’s something the Suns and Kings have offered.
Kuminga would be an important part of the Warriors’ rotation at the start of next season, and they would need his supplementary scoring on nights when 37-year-old Steph Curry or 35-year-old Jimmy Butler rest.
That’s something coach Steve Kerr has told Kuminga in recent weeks. Kerr has been one of the main voices trying to fix things, according to sources.
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. But 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 seek a possible fresh start during the summer.
