In earlier NBA eras, players like Jonathan Kuminga—known for his exceptional athleticism and high potential at just 22—would typically secure massive nine-figure contracts. However, the current collective bargaining agreement has changed the landscape, creating a financial environment where restricted free agents like Kuminga face tight salary caps and limited team spending. Kuminga’s value is hard to pin down because of his inconsistent playing time and production during his first four years with the Warriors. Only a few teams have enough salary cap space to offer him a deal that forces the Warriors to match or risk losing him. Thus, the Warriors have retained control by making a $7.9 million qualifying offer and proposing a two-year, $45 million contract.
Kuminga is dissatisfied with both options. Accepting the qualifying offer would allow him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, but there are risks if he suffers a serious injury or experiences another ambiguous role with the Warriors before landing a long-term contract. Numerous trade proposals were discussed, including a notable $63 million offer reportedly involving Malik Monk and a protected 2030 first-round pick. Yet the Warriors reportedly have little interest in a sign-and-trade involving Kuminga anymore.
There’s also talk, per ESPN’s Shamscharania, that the Warriors are among the teams aiming to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo, meaning Kuminga might need to be included in a trade package to facilitate such a deal. The Warriors don’t view Kuminga as a key piece to complement a star like Giannis, nor do they see him as critical enough to secure a consistent playoff rotation spot.
The challenge is that the Warriors see Kuminga as a player who could reach stardom, while Kuminga himself believes he can flourish as a primary offensive option elsewhere—something the Warriors have not provided. The Warriors’ offense is built around Stephen Curry, who demands a system where every player supports his style, unlike Kuminga, who thrives as a self-creator rather than a shooter. Players like Klay Thompson and Draymond Green have specialized roles that fit this system, but Kuminga’s strengths don’t align naturally within it.
The Warriors had hoped Kuminga could develop similarly to Andrew Wiggins, an elite athlete who embraced a role of rebound, defense, and selective scoring on the 2022 championship team. But Wiggins spent his early career, including five years in Minnesota, as a focal point, learning the responsibility of being a team’s go-to player before adapting to a complementary role. Aaron Gordon is another comparison, who became a valuable team player in Denver after years of being the star option elsewhere.
Kuminga’s desire for a bigger role and the Warriors’ failure to consistently offer that creates a tension. The Warriors are a team focused on winning now, with a narrow margin for error, making it difficult to gamble on developing Kuminga as a project. Despite his mistakes, Kuminga brings abilities no one else on the team has—such as attacking defenses vertically—and showed flashes of scoring brilliance in the playoffs last May after Curry’s injury. Yet, questions remain if he will be relegated back to the bench or accept a reduced contract. This ongoing saga seems set to continue at least through the start of the season.
According to sources, Kuminga will start the season with the Warriors, either signing their offer or accepting the $7.9 million qualifying offer. Regardless of the contract, it seems clear Kuminga prefers to leave the Warriors as soon as possible, while the team aims to see his value increase enough to secure a desirable trade return. Until then, he remains a potentially valuable asset for Golden State.
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Fan Take: This situation highlights the growing challenges young, talented players face in today’s NBA salary-cap environment, especially on championship-contending teams with established stars. Kuminga’s story could be a pivotal case for how teams manage developing talent within tight financial constraints while balancing immediate success, which is crucial for the future of team building and player career paths in the league.
