The Golden State Warriors remain the only NBA team without any offseason signings so far, as they await a resolution in contract negotiations with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. Kuminga, along with his agent Aaron Turner, is exploring options beyond the Warriors, causing a deadlock in talks that shows no signs of ending soon.
Kuminga Is Not Rushing to Sign, Continues to Explore Offers
According to NBA insider Shams Charania, who spoke with Kuminga during a workout in Miami, the player is firm in his decision not to accept the Warriors’ current contract proposals.
“He did tell me that he is in absolutely no rush to do a deal with the Warriors right now, and he’s not accepting their current offers,”
Charania revealed.
Kuminga and Turner remain open to discussions with the Warriors but are also seriously considering sign-and-trade possibilities with other teams, aiming to secure a more significant role and playing time, which they feel are crucial to Kuminga’s development and career trajectory.
Competitive Interest from Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings
Two teams actively pursuing Kuminga through sign-and-trade offers are the Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings. Charania noted,
“I’m told the Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings are two teams that have made concrete offers to the Warriors over the last week or so.”
He added,
“They’re two of the more aggressive teams with Kuminga, and they’re also offering him the opportunity for significant minutes and a starting caliber role in their lineup. Those are two things that he wants more than anything.”
Both franchises seem poised to meet Kuminga’s desire for more playing time and a larger role than what Golden State has offered so far.
Negotiation Stalemate Leaves Warriors’ Offseason in Limbo
Kuminga’s situation exemplifies the difficult position restricted free agents face when trying to leverage offers from other teams. The Warriors have little incentive to raise their offer without a genuine threat of Kuminga signing elsewhere. However, since few teams have the cap space to meet Kuminga’s demands outright, any deal would likely require a sign-and-trade agreement.
At present, neither Golden State nor the rival teams’ offers have aligned sufficiently to make a trade viable. It seems both sides misjudged their bargaining power: Kuminga expected contracts meeting his terms, while the Warriors anticipated other teams would offer valuable assets in exchange. With no party willing to concede yet, Golden State’s offseason remains unsettled, delaying other signings such as those of Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton until there’s clarity on Kuminga’s future.
Qualifying Offer as a Last Resort and Its Risks
The ultimate pressure point for Kuminga could be to accept the Warriors’ qualifying offer, which would allow him to play another year under current terms before becoming an unrestricted free agent. This path carries significant risk, including the possibility of injury that might adversely affect his future earning potential.
Moreover, the current NBA financial landscape complicates matters for Kuminga. Fewer teams have the available cap space to meet his salary expectations outright, even if he attains unrestricted free agent status next year. This scenario would likely mean a sign-and-trade could still be necessary to secure the deal Kuminga desires, granting Warriors some measure of control but reducing their leverage.
Ongoing Negotiations Could Extend Until Training Camp
With at least a month or two remaining before the qualifying offer deadline, the impasse continues. Fans and analysts await a break in the negotiations, as either Kuminga or the Warriors may eventually adjust their stance to move forward. Until then, the Warriors’ offseason remains in a state of uncertainty with key roster decisions hanging in the balance.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Jonathan Kuminga untouchable?
A. Kuminga could potentially be traded, yet the Warriors hold him in high regard.
Q. Can Jonathan Kuminga speak French?
A. Two of his cousins are professional basketball players: Emmanuel Mudiay plays in Puerto Rico, and Omari Gudul plays in Europe. Kuminga spoke French first, and he is still learning English.