Restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga essentially has two options amid the ongoing contract saga with the Golden State Warriors.
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The Warriors offered the forward a two-year, $45 million deal, which includes a team option for the second year. Kuminga is also eligible to accept a qualifying offer, which would be a one-year, $7.9 million deal.
NBC Sports Bay Area's Monte Poole believes the expected outcome for Kuminga is the latter of the two options.
"Kuminga signing the qualifying offer remains the anticipated outcome. The deadline to do so is Oct. 1," Monte writes. "Meanwhile, Al Horford and the rest of the veterans in Golden State's waiting room are quietly pleading for clarity."
The Warriors have yet to make a move in free agency, and it's largely because their ongoing contract negotiations with Kuminga have not been resolved. While Kuminga is expected to return, his future with Golden State is not settled.
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Ideally, the Warriors hope Kuminga signs the two-year deal since it gives the team flexibility to trade the forward. The 22-year-old is the team's best trade asset, and Golden State is looking for draft compensation and a young talent in return for Kuminga.
The Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings expressed serious interest in Kuminga; however, the Warriors have been reluctant to accept any sign-and-trade offers.
Last season, Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 45.4 percent from the field and 30.5 percent from beyond the arc in 47 games.
As the Oct. 1 deadline to accept the qualifying offer approaches, a decision will have to be made soon. The Warriors are taking a risk waiting so long to resolve the contract saga with Kuminga, but both parties have held a firm stance.
Kuminga has reportedly expressed displeasure in being a sort of pawn for the Warriors, which is why the forward has not made an effort to quickly wrap things up.
As he enters his fifth NBA season, it remains unclear what his role will be as he isn't a starter and may not close games. Nevertheless, the expected outcome is Kuminga accepting the qualifying offer and entering free agency as an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2025-25 season.
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