Jonathan Kuminga, Warriors Reportedly Haven't Had Recent 'Substantive' Contract Talks
The Golden State Warriors and restricted free-agent forward Jonathan Kuminga reportedly haven't made much progress on a contract agreement as of late.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, "there has been little substantive dialogue" between the Warriors and Kuminga in recent weeks. Despite that, Fischer noted that there is a sense among those with knowledge of the negotiations that "we could finally see some movement on the Kuminga front next week."
Per Fischer, the Warriors have offered Kuminga a two-year, $45 million deal with a team option for the second year. The offer does not include a no-trade clause in the first year either.
In July, ESPN's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported that the Warriors had sign-and-trade discussions centered on Kuminga with the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. They also reported that at least one of the teams offered Kuminga a four-year contract worth nearly $90 million.
Later, Charania said on NBA Today that the Kings offered the Warriors a conditional first-round pick and a rotational player in a sign-and-trade for Kuminga, but Golden State was holding out for an unprotected first-round pick.
There hasn't been any real movement since then, and Kuminga is one of just two major RFAs who have yet to sign, along with Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes.
Kuminga, who turns 23 next month, was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft after playing for G League Ignite.
He won an NBA championship with the Dubs as a rookie bench player in 2022, which is the role he primarily played over his first two seasons.
Kuminga was given more responsibility in 2023-24, though, and he enjoyed a career year as a result.
Starting 46 of the 74 games he appeared in, Kuminga averaged 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists, while shooting 52.9 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Big things were expected from Kuminga last season following his breakout, but he clearly took a step back. Kuminga started only 10 of the 47 games he played and averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 three-pointer made, while shooting 45.4 percent from the floor and 30.5 percent from deep.
Although it was a disappointing season, Kuminga flashed his immense potential during the playoffs.
After superstar guard Stephen Curry suffered an injury in Game 1 of the Warriors' second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kuminga became a featured part of the offensive attack in Games 2 through 5.
While the Warriors lost all four games and got eliminated, Kuminga averaged 24.3 points on 55.4 percent shooting.
The Warriors did little to upgrade their roster this offseason, primarily focusing on bringing back core players such as Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler.
Trading Kuminga likely wouldn't net the Dubs much immediate help, so finding some common ground and getting him under contract for the upcoming 2025-26 season may be the best move for the organization.
Time to get a deal done is running short, though, as the Warriors have their first preseason game on Oct. 5 and their first regular-season game on Oct. 21.
