Steph Curry Respects Jonathan Kuminga's Contract Status amid Warriors Trade Rumors
Stephen Curry understands Jonathan Kuminga is still trying to figure out what his contract situation will be for the upcoming season, but the Golden State Warriors star still expects his teammate to be dialed in when it's time to play.
"You have a guy who is trying to figure out his situation, and we respect that process," Curry told reporters Monday. "It's going to play out. When he's here ready to work, we expect him to be locked in on doing what he needs to do to help us win."
The Kuminga situation has dragged on for the majority of the offseason with no firm resolution yet in place.
While he was a sign-and-trade candidate at one point, Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area reported the chances of that happening "are virtually over" with a looming Wednesday deadline for Kuminga to accept a $7.9 million qualifying offer for the 2025-26 season.
If he accepts that offer, he will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
However, a longer deal is still reportedly on the table with NBA insider Jake Fischer reporting Golden State's most recent offers were for three years and $75 million or two years and $45 million with team options for either.
The Warriors need a resolution on the Kuminga situation for more reasons than just making sure he is still on the roster, as ESPN's Shams Charania reported Al Horford won't officially sign until there is a final decision even though the veteran forward verbally committed to the Western Conference team.
His teammates seem to be operating like Kuminga will be on the roster sooner rather than later.
"It will get handled. I know both sides will be happy in the end," Jimmy Butler told reporters.
Draymond Green added, "everyone will forget and move on" after the deal is done.
Yet there will still be an expectation in place, especially for a team in championship-or-bust mode with so many veterans like Curry, Butler, Green and Horford. Golden State will need Kuminga to provide a boost, whether that's by anchoring the secondary unit or taking some of the scoring responsibilities away from the go-to options.
"When he comes and when he's here, he should be a professional and do exactly what he expects to do and take advantage of his opportunities to help us win," Curry said. "Everybody who's in the locker room—that's what you're committed to do."
It just remains to be seen how many years Kuminga will officially be committed to do just that.
