Jonathan Kuminga Reportedly Gets Warriors Qualifying Offer, Will Be Restricted FA

The Golden State Warriors have officially made Jonathan Kuminga a restricted free agent.

According to The Athletic's Anthony Slater, the Warriors extended a $7.9 million qualifying offer to Kuminga for the 2025-26 season on Saturday. The move makes Kuminga a restricted free agent, giving Golden State the right to match any deal he finds on the open market.

Slater previously reported that Golden State was expected to explore sign-and-trade packages for Kuminga this summer.

Through 47 games with 10 starts this past season, Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists. He was in Golden State's starting lineup at the beginning of the year before being moved to a bench role.

He was later moved back into the starting lineup when veteran forward Draymond Green was relegated to the bench. He suffered a significant lateral right ankle sprain on Jan. 4 against the Memphis Grizzlies that forced him to miss a chunk of the season.

Kuminga played minimally in the first round of the playoffs before being thrust into action after Stephen Curry's hamstring injury in the conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Overall, he averaged 15.3 points in eight postseason games and 20.8 points in the series against Minnesota as the Warriors lost to the Timberwolves in five games.

The Warriors and Kuminga were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension prior to the NBA's deadline on Oct. 21, putting him in line to be a restricted free agent at the end of the season. The 22-year-old reportedly was seeking a salary of over $30 million in negotiations.

While the two sides didn't come to terms last offseason, NBC Sports Bay Area's Monte Poole reported that Golden State hadn't rule out retaining Kuminga this summer if he continued his development over the course of the 2024-25 campaign.

Kuminga enjoyed a breakout year during the 2023-24 season with 74 games played, 46 starts and averages of 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists. The injury and inconsistencies last seson caused a delay in his ascent.

If they are able to hold onto Kuminga, the Warriors will be hoping the 2021 No. 7 pick will continue to establish himself as a key contributor behind Curry and Green.