Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
Despite months of negotiations, Jonathan Kuminga appears no closer to signing a new contract with the Golden State Warriors.
Kuminga is currently a restricted free agent. Therefore, his current options are to sign the deal Golden State currently has on offer or sign his qualifying offer.
The concern for the Warriors is that Kuminga would become an unrestricted free agent next summer if he chose to sign his qualifying offer. Furthermore, the front office’s chances of flipping him in return for value would take a significant hit.
According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, it’s looking increasingly likely that Kuminga will go down the qualifying offer route. And while he would be leaving a significant amount of money on the table, he would be taking control of his own destiny.
“He wants the flexibility to choose his future,” Siegel reported. “With a return to Golden State looking likely, Kuminga is prepared to sacrifice money if it means he can earn his freedom to select his next team in free agency. Unless they change their current offer, which the Warriors haven’t given any indications that they will to this point, Kuminga will ultimately accept his qualifying offer. That wouldn’t be the best scenario for Golden State, as all hopes to flip the young forward into value before the trade deadline would essentially disappear.”
Kuminga has reportedly drawn interest from the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns this summer. However, neither team has been able to piece together a trade package good enough to entice the Warriors to the negotiating table.
Kuminga Doesn’t Want to Return to Warriors
According to an August 25 report from Siegel, Kuminga’s preference would be to avoid a return to the Warriors.
“The only reason Kuminga hasn’t accepted this contract is because he truly doesn’t want to return to the Warriors,” Siegel reported. “To change his mind … an understanding of what Kuminga wants will need to be at the forefront.”
Kuminga played in 47 games last season. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game, shooting 45.4% from the field. However, the addition of Jimmy Butler midway through the season further limited his chance of a consistent role in Steve Kerr’s rotation.
Warriors Could Make Trade Deadline Move
Regardless of what happens with Kuminga, the Warriors will still come into the new season eyeing a championship push. As such, ESPN’s Anthony Slater believes the Warriors are the NBA’s biggest candidates to take a swing at the February 2026 trade deadline.
“The Warriors lead this list because they’ve essentially spent the offseason signaling a desire for deadline movement,” Slater wrote. “Their two-year, $45 million contract offer to restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga was designed to get him on a salary number they can flip come January.”
The Warriors have a plethora of tradable assets at their disposal. They will undoubtedly be a player when the trade market heats up to begin 2026.
Nevertheless, the ideal outcome would be Kuminga signs the contract offer on the table. At which point, the Warriors could look to find him a new home between now and February.