Jonathan Kuminga and Warriors: Contract Negotiations Ongoing
Contract negotiations between Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors extend into the start of the NBA basketball season.
Kuminga did not travel to San Francisco this weekend and will not attend Monday’s media day, according to sources close to the league.
Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. contacted Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, on Sunday, but there is no significant progress toward a contract agreement or the player’s return before the team’s first practice on Tuesday.
The Warriors have kept their three offers on the table.
- Two years and 45 million dollars
- Three years and 75.2 million dollars
- Three years and 54 million dollars
Kuminga has shown resistance to team-friendly deals with options, unless the amount of money increases. The player has expressed to the Warriors that he would consider an offer with a player option as a gesture of goodwill.
The biggest advantage for Kuminga in these negotiations is the one-year, $8 million qualifying offer, which expires Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET. If Kuminga opts for this offer, he would forgo an additional $15.3 million next season, but would gain a no-trade clause and unrestricted free agency in 2026.
The Warriors have tried to avoid this scenario with their current offers to Kuminga, but team sources have indicated that they remain firm in their refusal to include a player option in any deal. They expect Kuminga to choose one of their proposed offers or return with the qualifying offer before Wednesday night.
Conversations about a possible transfer with the Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings have not progressed.
Due to Kuminga’s situation, the Warriors have delayed many of their roster moves this summer.
Golden State received a multi-year commitment from Al Horford on Sunday. The final number of Horford’s contract depends on the resolution of Kuminga’s contract, so the starting center presumably won’t be able to sign or train until this happens.
Melton and Payton’s availability for the first practice is to be determined.
With the signing of second-round rookie guard Will Richard, the Warriors have 13 players committed to the roster. Their plan is to make Kuminga number 14, but he must decide on a contract before the Wednesday night qualifying offer deadline.
The Warriors have also held conversations with Seth Curry, but Kuminga’s contract structure will determine whether they can add a 15th player and stay below the second tax apron.
