TITLE: Jimmy Butler presses Warriors over Jonathan Kuminga contract impasse
SLUG: jimmy-butler-presses-warriors-on-jonathan-kuminga-contract-impasse
CONTENT:
Golden State’s lingering contract negotiations with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga have drawn the attention of Jimmy Butler, who personally contacted the Warriors’ front office seeking clarity, NBC Sports Bay Area reporter Dalton Johnson said on the latest episode of the “Dubs Talk” podcast.
According to Johnson, Butler asked team executives, “What’s going on here? I just want to know the plan,” underscoring the veteran forward’s impatience with the stall in talks.
Offer on the table
ESPN’s Anthony Slater and Shams Charania recently reported that Golden State sweetened its proposal to Kuminga to $75.2 million over three seasons. The 21-year-old forward and his representatives turned down the package because the final year would be a team option, the reporters said.
Butler’s history with the Warriors
Johnson noted that the Warriors moved swiftly to resolve Butler’s contract situation when they acquired him from the Miami Heat in a February trade. Butler, who had been in a standoff with Miami over an extension, signed a new two-year, $111 million deal with Golden State upon arrival.
Now, with training camp roughly two weeks away, Butler has urged the franchise to “either pay [Kuminga] or move him,” Johnson said.
Outside interest and leverage
In July, the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns explored sign-and-trade scenarios for Kuminga, Slater and Charania reported. One suitor proposed a four-year contract worth nearly $90 million for the forward, while Sacramento offered Golden State a conditional first-round pick and a rotation player. The Warriors declined, seeking an unprotected first-round pick instead.
Aaron Turner, Kuminga’s agent, told Slater his client would accept Golden State’s current offer if the team option were replaced by a player option.
Qualifying offer remains a fallback
If no agreement is reached, Kuminga can sign the one-year, $7.9 million qualifying offer he received in late June. That deal includes a no-trade clause and would allow him to become an unrestricted free agent in July 2025.
Roster decisions ahead
Once Kuminga’s status is settled, the Warriors plan to use the taxpayer mid-level exception to round out the roster, with veteran center Al Horford and guards De’Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II, and Seth Curry among the names under consideration, Johnson said.
Kuminga, the No. 7 pick in the 2021 draft, averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 24.3 minutes over 47 games (10 starts) last season.
Source: Basketball Insiders
