UPDATE: Jonathan Kuminga is poised to accept the $7.9 million qualifying offer from the Golden State Warriors unless a more favorable deal is presented. This latest development comes as Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, confirmed during an interview on the Hoop Collective podcast that Kuminga is prepared to take significant steps to control his future.
With less than two weeks until training camp, the Warriors find themselves in a precarious position, having not signed any free agents this summer. They currently have just nine players on their roster, while negotiations with Kuminga have reached an impasse for over three months.
Turner revealed that the Warriors have offered Kuminga three contract frameworks, the most lucrative being a three-year deal worth $75.2 million with a team option in the final year, guaranteeing him $48.3 million in the first two seasons. However, Kuminga has declined all offers, seeking a player option instead, which the Warriors have refused.
“If [the Warriors] want to win now… you give him the player option,” Turner stated. “You do lose a little of that trade value… but if it’s about the here and now, you give him that.”
Kuminga’s willingness to sign the qualifying offer would mean relinquishing over $40 million in guaranteed money over two years. However, it would also grant him unrestricted free agency next summer, providing him with a degree of control over his destiny.
Turner emphasized the potential upside of the qualifying offer, stating, “You’re not getting traded. You’re gonna have unrestricted free agency next summer.” While some critics have noted the tight market for cap space, Turner insists that six teams will be vying for top-tier wings like Kuminga.
Throughout the summer, Kuminga has been exploring options beyond the Warriors, with the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns showing significant interest. The Kings are reportedly offering a three-year deal worth between $63 million and $66 million, while the Suns’ proposal ranges from $80 million to $88 million over four years. Despite this, no sign-and-trade agreements have yet materialized to entice the Warriors.
“He’s gotten a chance to hear from other teams,” Turner said, noting the allure of starting opportunities and personal development offered by these franchises. “We don’t want you to change anything. We want to put the ball in your hands.”
While Kuminga is not opposed to returning to the Warriors, Turner argues that the current offers do not reflect his player ambitions. The agent pointed out that a return to a bench role may stifle Kuminga’s growth, particularly behind established stars like Draymond Green and Al Horford.
“No guarantees he starts any games,” Turner explained. “Finishing games, night to night, who knows?” He emphasized that the Warriors must appeal to Kuminga’s long-term goals, not just the contract offer.
Warriors owner Joe Lacob attempted to resolve the contract dispute in August by meeting Kuminga in Miami, but the situation remains unresolved as the clock ticks down to training camp.
Turner stated that Kuminga is committed to supporting Steph Curry and the Warriors’ immediate success. However, he cautioned that the team must be willing to negotiate terms that respect Kuminga’s ambitions, including the potential for a player option or a no-trade clause.
As negotiations continue to stagnate, the urgency for the Warriors to finalize their roster grows. They are expected to sign veterans like Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II once Kuminga’s situation is resolved. The fate of the Warriors’ roster and Kuminga’s future hangs in the balance as both sides navigate this critical juncture.
