Jonathan Kuminga, Josh Giddey, and Cam Thomas are each approaching crucial milestones in their NBA careers as restricted free agents aiming for significant salary increases. All three players reportedly seek contracts worth around $30 million annually, but the current league-wide salary cap limitations are hindering their negotiations. This situation has created a slowdown in restricted free agent deals as teams struggle with limited financial flexibility.
Despite their breakout performances, none of the players’ teams—or any other franchises—currently possess sufficient cap space to offer the kind of contracts these prospects desire. With no teams able to put forward competing offer sheets, the market has stalled, leaving these players in a frustrating impasse.
NBA Insider Details the Impact of a Cap Crunch on Deal-Making
NBA insider Marc Stein recently highlighted the standstill surrounding the three players. According to Stein, the lack of available cap space across the league means teams are not under pressure to meet the annual salary demands around $30 million for Kuminga, Giddey, and Thomas.
Since there are no cap-space teams in circulation to emerge with an offer sheet to Thomas or fellow restricted free agents like Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga and Chicago’s Josh Giddey, Brooklyn appears to be in no rush to expedite discussions with Thomas’ representation. Thomas, like Kuminga and Giddey, is said to be seeking a salary in the $30 million range annually,
Marc Stein reported.
This environment allows the Brooklyn Nets, Cam Thomas’s team, to delay negotiations without fear of immediate competition. The same applies to Golden State with Kuminga and Chicago with Giddey, as there is no outside interest backed by available cap space to force accelerated talks.
Golden State Warriors’ Position on Kuminga and Trade Rumors
Additional reporting by Sam Amick sheds light on Golden State’s stance amid trade rumors involving Jonathan Kuminga. The Warriors appear reluctant to include DeMar DeRozan or Devin Carter in any deal to move Kuminga to the Sacramento Kings. Despite widespread speculation, Golden State’s front office has maintained firm limits on the value they are willing to accept in return.
My understanding is the Warriors weren’t interested in Carter or DeRozan. As of a couple weeks ago, the Kings weren’t willing to pay Kuminga into the $20 million range (AAV),
Amick reported.
This impasse complicates trade discussions, as Sacramento’s willingness to pay Kuminga a salary around $20 million annually remains below Golden State’s asking price. If Sacramento does acquire Kuminga, the ripple effect could lead to DeRozan’s exit from the Kings, but for now, the Warriors are holding out for compensation that reflects Kuminga’s higher salary expectations.
Market Conditions Keep Free Agent Moves on Hold
The core issue delaying new contracts for Giddey, Kuminga, and Thomas is not related to their performance or potential but rather the financial landscape of the NBA. The overall lack of cap space across teams means there are no immediate triggers for bidding wars, limiting leverage for players seeking max-level salaries.
This cautious market forces teams to balance long-term investments with salary cap management, resulting in slower negotiations and an uncertain timeline for when agreements may be reached. How this bottleneck resolves could have broad implications for the flow of restricted free agent contracts and team roster building heading into the new season.