The prolonged restricted free agency of Golden State Warriors wing Jonathan Kuminga has finally come to an end. After months of rumors, leaks, and unusually public negotiations, the Dubs and Kuminga agreed to a two-year, $48.5 million contract with a team option for the second year, as first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. Kuminga and his agent Aaron Turner had been threatening to accept the qualifying offer if the Warriors did not either add more guaranteed years or a player option, but the Warriors called
what they correctly read as a bluff, a day before the deadline to take the Qualifying Offer.
A pair of the Warriors division rivals, the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings, were most aggressive pursuing Kuminga this offseason. The Suns made the former seventh-overall pick the largest offer this offseason, which included around $90 million in guarantees. Sacramento, on the other hand, engaged in the most serious conversations with the Warriors about potential sign-and-trades.
While Golden State was clearly open to sign-and-trading Kuminga this offseason, they were unwilling to accept a deal that came without a premium piece in return. The Kings offered Devin Carter, Dario Saric’s expiring deal, and a protected first-round pick while the Suns offered Royce O’Neal and some second-round pick compensation. Sacramento eventually was willing to part with combo guard Malik Monk and a protected first-round pick. While Monk is a solid player, his sizable contract would have forced the Dubs to offload Buddy Hield or Moses Moody in a separate trade. Per reports, the Warriors were only interested if the Kings would part with an unprotected future first-round pick. Sacramento refused, and Kuminga ultimately remained in a Warriors uniform for the time being.
Re-signing far from ends speculation about a Kuminga trade. In fact, he actually will become significantly easier to move once he becomes tradeable again in six months. The Warriors could actually accept the exact same offer for Kuminga in February (Monk and a protected first) without having to unload any additional salary. So, the Warriors front office will give Kuminga and head coach Steve Kerr one more shot to figure out a role that works well for the team and satisfies the 22-year old wing. If it fails, which history suggests is most likely, then a deal before the deadline seems guaranteed.
Despite justified skepticism about Kuminga’s future in Golden State, there is a case to be made that a fit can be found. While Kuminga did struggle to play alongside both Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler last season, Golden State has added significantly improved outside shooting depth around their trio of forwards to help with spacing.
Furthermore, Butler will likely be far more comfortable deferring offensively early in the season. Of course, that’s assuming injuries to a roster heavily reliant on players in their mid to late-30s do not open up other opportunities for Kuminga as well.
As tumultuous as Kuminga’s relationship with the Warriors has been, it would be far from the first time a strained relationship between a player and team unexpectedly rebounded. Warriors owner Joe Lacob, who has been championing Kuminga for years, is undeniably hoping for that outcome. We’ll see how it plays out on the court.
According to Charania, the team option for the 2026-27 season is “designed for the contract to be ripped up and renegotiated next summer.” That doesn’t mean that the two sides are committed to a long-term future together, however, as Charania also notes that “both sides understand likelihood of exploring trades when Kuminga is eligible in January.” Charania also reports that Kuminga opted for this deal over a three-year, $75 million contract with a team option, as he wanted to reach unrestricted free agency sooner.
