Restricted free agency remains one of the toughest contract situations for young NBA players, and as July nears its end, several cases highlight just how difficult this stage can be. Jonathan Kuminga, along with Josh Giddey, Quentin Grimes, and Cam Thomas, all find themselves unable to secure new deals with their respective teams amid the standoff. This deadlock arises because restricted free agency heavily favors teams, which retain the right to match any offers made to their players, leaving the athletes with minimal negotiating power.
Why Players Lose Power in Restricted Free Agency
In the past, restricted free agency offered more flexibility, as multiple teams often had ample salary cap room to propose competing offers. Those offers, even if matched by the players’ current teams, could serve as strategic tools for agents or opposing franchises to force higher salaries. However, the current NBA financial landscape is far less accommodating. With few teams holding significant cap space today, the system that originally supported restricted free agency no longer fits the league’s realities, trapping players like Kuminga and others in difficult spots.
Limited Options for Young Players Trapped by Team Control
An experienced NBA agent described the position as
“the worst spot you can be in because you’re relying on the generosity of the team.”
The agent added,
“For the player, it is brutal because it can drag out way into the summer when no one has money to spend, and there is just nothing you can do until the [team] decides to step up make a fair offer. It’s brutal on these young players who are expecting to have this big payday.”
The agent further emphasized that the situation has not received sufficient scrutiny within the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), stating,
“It’s a tough situation for a player, it’s something that has not gotten enough attention in the CBA, I think.”
The Role of Qualifying Offers and Their Impact
Players caught in restricted free agency have only one significant option: accept the qualifying offer (QO) extended by their teams. This offer typically represents a modest, one-year extension beyond the rookie contract, locking the player into a lower salary. Accepting the QO allows the player to become an unrestricted free agent the following summer, but also exposes the team to the risk of losing the player without receiving trade compensation.
For Kuminga, the 2025-26 qualifying offer stands at $8 million. In comparison, Giddey’s QO is $11 million, Grimes’s is $8.5 million, and Thomas’s is $6 million. Despite these figures, all four players aim to secure multi-year contracts valued between $20 and $30 million annually, underscoring the gap between their market value and current leverage.
What Lies Ahead for Kuminga and Fellow Restricted Free Agents
Negotiations involving Kuminga and Giddey seem likely to find resolution before too long, while Grimes and Thomas may end up accepting their qualifying offers and entering unrestricted free agency next summer. The stark imbalance in bargaining power, rooted in NBA salary cap restrictions and team rights, continues to create tough circumstances for emerging talent. This ongoing challenge may increase calls for reform within the NBA’s collective bargaining framework to better address the plight of restricted free agents and provide them with more equitable opportunities.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Jonathan Kuminga untouchable?
A. Monte Poole suggests it’s quite probable that Golden State will retain Jonathan Kuminga this offseason. However, Kuminga isn’t completely off the table for trades. He is moving into restricted free agency.
Q. Can Jonathan Kuminga speak French?
A. He has two cousins who are professional basketball players, Emmanuel Mudiay plays in Puerto Rico, and Omari Gudul plays in Europe. Kuminga’s native language is French, and he is working on improving his English skills.