Restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga is signaling that he would rather sign a $7.9 million qualifying offer than accept the two-year, $45 million contract the Golden State Warriors have on the table, ESPN’s Anthony Slater said Friday on NBA Today.
According to Slater, talks between the Warriors and the 22-year-old forward resumed last weekend but remain stuck on contract structure. Golden State insists on a two-year agreement with a team option in Year 2, while Kuminga and his representatives prefer a multi-year pact that carries either a player option or greater long-term security.
Qualifying Offer Provides No-Trade Clause
The qualifying offer would grant Kuminga a no-trade clause for the 2024-25 season and position him to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026. Slater said members of Kuminga’s camp describe the team’s current proposal as treating him like a “pawn” who could be flipped mid-season.
“If two for $45 million with the team option is going to be the best offer, he will see them in training camp on an expiring qualifying offer,” Slater reported.
Warriors’ Roster Moves on Hold
Free agents Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton are waiting for the Kuminga situation to be resolved before finalizing their own potential deals with Golden State, league sources told Slater. Restricted free agents have until Oct. 1 to accept a qualifying offer, meaning the standoff could drag into September.
Former Lottery Pick Seeking Bigger Role
Kuminga, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 draft, averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 24.3 minutes across 47 games (10 starts) last season. Slater noted it would be “shocking” if the forward ultimately turned down the $14 million salary projected for 2025-26 under the Warriors’ offer, but added that Kuminga appears “dug in” on prioritizing control over his future.
Source: Basketball Insiders
