Jonathan Kuminga’s contract situation has taken up a majority of the headlines for the Golden State Warriors, but there could be a way to solve the issue for both parties involved.
Kuminga is a restricted free agent currently, and has been seeking a lucrative deal. Additionally, teams such as the Sacramento Kings have touched base about trading for the young forward.
Last season, Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, and 4.6 rebounds per game in 47 appearances. However, his playing time and role in the rotation have been inconsistent under head coach Steve Kerr, leading to some animosity from Kuminga.
NBA insider Jake Fischer believes that there is a way to resolve this contract conflict: Giving Kuminga a deal with a player option.
“I think that Jonathan Kuminga’s side would take this one-plus-one situation with Golden State, this two-year, $45 million offer that’s been on the table if he were to get a player option in year two,” he said. “But I was told yesterday from various sources that Golden State is going to be holding firm that the second year is going to be a team option, and that’s kind of where the staring contest is at.”
The Warriors won’t just let Kuminga walk for nothing. Despite the inconsistent playing time, the 22-year-old has still shown flashes of a potential star player in the making, which the team can’t afford to lose. Nonetheless, the contract dispute between Kuminga and the Warriors will be one the team’s biggest obstacles this offseason, which they hope is resolved sooner rather than later.
