The NBA offseason has stalled as the restricted free agency for key players like Jonathan Kuminga becomes increasingly tense. With no teams having sufficient cap space, the struggle to sign top restricted free agents such as Kuminga has brought the market and trade discussions to a standstill.
Restricted free agency arrives at the conclusion of a player’s rookie contract without a new agreement, allowing players to negotiate offer sheets with other teams while giving their current franchise the right to match any offer. Because of the tight financial conditions across the league, franchises are pushing for contracts that favor team flexibility, but restricted free agents are resisting these terms, freezing progress in the offseason.
Restricted Free Agents Who Are Shaping the Market’s Stasis
The four most notable restricted free agents still unsigned are Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey, Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas, and Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes. Their refusal to accept qualifying offers, which are one-year contracts allowing unrestricted free agency the following year, has left these players with minimal leverage as teams hold the financial upper hand. While accepting these qualifying offers poses risks to immediate earnings, it leaves open the possibility of a more lucrative deal if they perform well during the upcoming season.
New Contenders Join Battle for Jonathan Kuminga
The Golden State Warriors have remained inactive this summer regarding Jonathan Kuminga’s situation, awaiting a sign-and-trade deal that could provide the forward more playing opportunities elsewhere. Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns have emerged as primary suitors for Kuminga, though Golden State has rejected Sacramento’s proposed package involving Devin Carter, Dario Saric, and second-round draft picks. Phoenix could offer Grayson Allen in a potential deal, but complications involving salary matching rules linked to Kuminga’s base-year compensation limit their options.
Jonathan Kuminga’s agency has reportedly attempted to generate interest from the Chicago Bulls, but stalled Josh Giddey negotiations there have dampened momentum. The Warriors insist on receiving a first-round pick in exchange, a demand unclear teams can meet, especially since the Suns do not possess such picks to offer. This insistence by Golden State has been criticized as unrealistic, though it’s understandable the franchise aims to avoid acquiring burdensome long-term salary commitments for a young player like Kuminga.
Meanwhile, the Warriors pursue free agent Al Horford, but his lingering presence on the market raises speculation about retirement prospects for the 39-year-old veteran. With additional roster spots still to fill, Golden State faces mounting pressure to resolve Kuminga’s future swiftly.
A split between Kuminga and the Warriors might benefit both. Kuminga has struggled under head coach Steve Kerr’s system, which demands rapid decision-making and floor awareness—areas where he has faced challenges. His considerable physical gifts give him scoring potential, but a faster-paced offense is likely needed for his growth.
Forecasts continue to link Kuminga to the Kings or Suns, with reports and expert predictions favoring these destinations as his most probable landing spots in the near future.
Chicago Bulls and Josh Giddey Face Increasing Negotiation Strains
The Bulls hope to retain Josh Giddey after acquiring him in a trade involving Alex Caruso, but contract talks have become strained. Giddey seeks a $30 million annual deal, whereas Chicago reportedly proposes around $20 million a year. While Bulls officials publicly describe negotiations as positive, Giddey’s representatives have hinted at discord by leaking tension in the discussions.
Giddey’s qualifying offer stands at $11 million, which he is unlikely to accept given the lower salary and lost career earnings if he chooses the one-year path. Although salary cap space will expand next year, no external teams have shown significant interest in pursuing Giddey this offseason. His value is complicated by his requirement to be a primary ball-handler despite defensive inconsistencies, shooting struggles, and turnover issues throughout his career.
Despite the complications, Giddey remains essential to the Bulls’ future plans. A four-year, roughly $80 million guaranteed contract would give him relative security and the chance to refine weaknesses while pushing for unrestricted free agency during his athletic prime. Still, Chicago’s cautious approach follows last summer’s $90 million pact with Patrick Williams, which has since faced criticism.
A shorter contract with a player option might allow Giddey to secure substantial earnings while retaining flexibility to challenge the market in subsequent years. The decisive outcome remains uncertain, but Giddey will be on Chicago’s roster next season, though the contract length and value remain open questions.
Brooklyn Nets Offer Minimal Extension to Cam Thomas
Cam Thomas has experienced a challenging summer, including public disputes with media and a lack of suitable contract offers. Despite averaging an efficient 24 points per game last season, Brooklyn’s highest proposal reportedly stands at a two-year, $28 million deal—barely above mid-tier exceptions and well below Thomas’s expectations.
This offer is likely the best available in the current market, disappointing a player who anticipated a significantly larger contract after his scoring performances. Thomas’s lower draft position compared to peers like Jalen Green has limited his bargaining power, while the market remains wary of volume scorers with concerns about awareness and defense. Although Thomas’s scoring skills should ensure a sustained NBA presence, a lucrative long-term deal does not seem imminent.
Quiet Stalemate Surrounds Quentin Grimes in Philadelphia
After being traded from the Mavericks due to salary concerns, Quentin Grimes impressed in Philadelphia’s second half of last season but still struggles to secure desired pay. The 76ers cleared salary space by letting Guerschon Yabusele join the Knicks, aiming to re-sign Grimes under a deal close to the mid-level exception.
Yet, Grimes has not accepted offers, reportedly seeking roughly $25 million annually, a figure unlikely to be met given current market conditions. The 76ers’ financial projections show possible hard cap implications linked to Grimes’s contract and Yabusele’s slot, highlighting complexities in their cap management.
“Below is the projection that I made with Grimes coming back ($17 million starting deal) and Yabu on the TPMLE. This sequence of events would have hard-capped them at the $207.8 million apron. Theoretically possible, but not until Grimes is locked in. pic.twitter.com/AYNKP25aMG” —Derek Bodner, NBA Insider
Like other restricted free agents, Grimes faces a market indifferent to his salary demands, indicating a broader trend of limited leverage for talented young players. The difficult RFA environment may pressure future prospects to agree to earlier contract extensions at lower values to avoid similarly precarious positions.
The Bigger Picture: Restricted Free Agency’s Impact on Young Players and Teams
This offseason’s stalemate reveals the harsh realities behind restricted free agency in the current NBA salary landscape. Without cap flexibility, teams are reluctant to offer large guaranteed contracts, and restricted players lack sufficient negotiating power to force deals matching their expectations.
Players who refuse qualifying offers risk short-term earnings but may position themselves for better future contracts, while teams aim to manage long-term salary commitments carefully. Veteran spots and remaining roster construction complicate the offseason further, as franchises like Golden State search for missing pieces while navigating locked negotiations.
Looking ahead, this frozen market could shape the approaches of next year’s restricted free agents, potentially encouraging earlier agreement on extensions at modest rates to secure financial certainty. For now, young talents like Jonathan Kuminga, Josh Giddey, Cam Thomas, and Quentin Grimes face a delicate balancing act between risk and reward as they await resolutions that will define their careers and impact their teams.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Jonathan Kuminga untouchable?
A. While the Warriors are open to the idea of trading Kuminga, they also hold him in high regard.
Q. Can Jonathan Kuminga speak French?
A. His cousins are professional basketball players: Emmanuel Mudiay plays in Puerto Rico, and Omari Gudul competes in Europe. Kuminga’s native language is French, and he is still learning English.