The Golden State Warriors find themselves at a standstill this offseason due to unresolved Jonathan Kuminga Warriors contract negotiations. With free agency options depleted and no cap space available, Kuminga, a restricted free agent, faces two choices: re-sign with the Warriors or await a sign-and-trade arrangement from a team willing to offer assets in exchange.
Last week, Kuminga and his representatives met with Golden State officials during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, but no agreement was reached. According to NBA reporter Brett Siegel, the discussions concluded predictably without a deal but with clarity on each side’s position.
The update I got was that things went as expected: No deal, but an understanding of what everything is looking like,
Siegel wrote on X.
A complication in potential trades arises from the Collective Bargaining Agreement’s salary matching rules, which treat Kuminga’s outgoing and incoming salaries asymmetrically. In a sign-and-trade deal, only half of the player’s outgoing salary counts toward matching, while the acquiring team must absorb his full contract figure. For instance, if Kuminga signs a $30 million average annual salary, the Warriors can only trade $15 million against their salary cap, but the trading partner incurs the entire $30 million on their books.
Warriors Reject Sacramento Kings’ Trade Proposal
The Warriors recently declined a trade offer from the Sacramento Kings involving Jonathan Kuminga. NBA insider Anthony Slater reported that the Kings proposed sending Devin Carter, Dario Šarić, and two second-round draft picks in exchange for the young forward, but Golden State found the offer insufficient.
They’ve drawn inbound calls in recent days, most notably from the Sacramento Kings, who floated an offer of Devin Carter, Dario Šarić and two second-round picks, league sources said. The Warriors have so far balked at what they felt was a buy-low attempt, league sources said,
Slater wrote.
According to league sources, Golden State’s front office is seeking a more significant return: a promising young player plus a first-round draft pick in any sign-and-trade deal involving Kuminga. To date, no team has met the Warriors’ demands for the 22-year-old forward. This stalemate has fueled speculation that Kuminga might stay with Golden State through the season and be traded later at the deadline.
I still expect Kuminga staying in the $20M to $25M range with a [player option] and trade kicker,
Siegel noted on social media, hinting at the type of contract the Warriors might offer if Kuminga remains.
Kuminga’s Desire for a Lucrative Contract and Key Role
Jonathan Kuminga, selected seventh overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, is reportedly pursuing a contract worth $25 million to $30 million per year, along with a more prominent and consistent role on the team. According to Michael Scotto of Hoopshype, Kuminga wants assurances that he will earn significant playing time moving forward.
The Warriors’ coaching staff, however, has not expressed readiness to meet these conditions. Head coach Steve Kerr has been transparent about the team’s current priorities and roster dynamics, making it unlikely Kuminga will secure a starting spot or heavy minutes next season.
I’ve been asked to win, Kerr said on May 21 during an appearance on The TK Show, conducted by Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard.
And right now, he’s not a guy who I can say, I’m going to play 38 minutes with the roster we have, Steph [Curry], Jimmy [Butler], and Draymond [Green], and put the puzzle together that way and expect to win.
Last season, Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. In the playoffs, following an injury to Stephen Curry, Kuminga boosted his scoring average to 24.3 points while shooting an efficient 55.4 percent overall and 38.9 percent from beyond the arc. Despite this strong individual performance during Golden State’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, it did not translate into team victories.
Kerr’s preference to rely on veteran players over Kuminga reflects the tension between developing young talent and the immediate goal of winning, which has complicated Kuminga’s role on the team so far.
Looking Ahead: The Uncertain Future of Jonathan Kuminga with the Warriors
The impasse in Jonathan Kuminga Warriors contract negotiations and stalled trade discussions places both the player and Golden State Warriors in a delicate position as the new season approaches. The Warriors’ reluctance to meet Kuminga’s salary expectations or grant him an expanded role mirrors their commitment to competing immediately with established veterans.
Meanwhile, the sign-and-trade stipulations and lack of appealing trade offers signal that Kuminga may remain with the team for at least the near future, potentially serving in a limited role before the Warriors revisit trade possibilities midseason. How this contract saga concludes will have significant ramifications for Golden State’s roster planning and Kuminga’s development trajectory moving forward.