The Warriors have had an extremely quiet summer amid contract talks with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga.
The Warriors reportedly offered the 22-year-old forward a two-year, $45 million deal with a team option for the 2026-27 campaign. However, the promising young forward appears unlikely to accept that offer and could play out his final year by accepting his $7.9 million qualifying offer.
While speculation about a potential sign-and-trade deal has emerged, Kuminga is reportedly hesitant to agree to a team-friendly pact that would help Golden State in trade talks, according to Anthony Slater of ESPN.
“He doesn’t want such a team-friendly deal, sources said, and the idea of signing up to be more easily traded midseason is unappealing to him,” Slater wrote.
MORE: NBA insider urges Warriors to compromise with Jonathan Kuminga in contract talks
Slater also reported that Kuminga and his camp are seeking a three-year deal worth $82 million, which the Warriors seem unlikely to offer. At this point, it appears more probable that Kuminga will accept his qualifying offer and enter unrestricted free agency next offseason.
The former No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft has been a solid contributor for the Warriors over the first four years of his career but doesn’t yet have a clear path to becoming a top option for the club.
Kuminga saw inconsistent playing time in the club’s first-round playoff series win over the Houston Rockets but stepped up in the final four games of the Western Conference semifinals loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves with Stephen Curry sidelined due to a left hamstring strain. During that span, Kuminga averaged 24.3 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 55.4 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from downtown across 31.0 minutes per game.
The 6-foot-7 forward has untapped potential and displayed his scoring prowess despite the series loss to the Timberwolves. A change of scenery could help him rise to stardom.
MORE NBA NEWS:
