Golden State leaders say Jonathan Kuminga will be “locked in” once deal is signed
warriors-stars-expect-kuminga-to-return-locked-in
SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors opened training camp Monday without restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, but the team’s core veterans insisted the contract standoff will not derail their championship push.
Speaking at media day, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and newly acquired Jimmy Butler said they remain confident the 22-year-old forward will rejoin the club soon and be fully committed when he does.
“I don’t think anyone is winning a championship the first few days of practice,” Green told reporters. “Do I think he still wants to be here? Yeah. He said that to me.”
Contract talks at an impasse
The Warriors have offered Kuminga two deals, according to team sources: a two-year, $45 million contract and a three-year, $75.2 million package. Both include a team option for the final season, a sticking point for Kuminga, who is seeking either a player option or a sign-and-trade elsewhere. Golden State has shown no inclination to sweeten its proposals.
Kuminga’s primary leverage is a one-year, $8 million qualifying offer that expires Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET. Accepting it would cost him an additional $15.3 million this season but would grant an inherent no-trade clause and unrestricted free agency in 2026, when at least 10 teams are projected to have cap space.
Roster on hold
Because Kuminga remains unsigned, veteran free-agent additions Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton cannot finalize their contracts, leaving head coach Steve Kerr with only 11 fully signed players for Tuesday’s first practice.
“We’ll be tired as hell going through practice,” Green admitted. “That will suck. But as far as it being a distraction, I don’t expect this to go on too much longer.”
Stars stay in touch
Curry, Butler and Green confirmed they have spoken with Kuminga in recent days. Butler hosted an informal minicamp at his San Diego home last week, but business logistics kept Kuminga from attending.
“I only listen to my teammate,” Curry said when asked about public remarks from Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, who has lobbied for a player option as a gesture of goodwill. “I heard from JK he’ll be committed when he gets here.”
Butler, entering his 15th NBA season, downplayed the tension. “It will get handled,” he said. “We all love JK.”
The Warriors begin official workouts Tuesday, launching what many inside the organization regard as the last realistic title window for their trio of mid-30s stars. Whether Kuminga joins them in the coming days or elects to bet on himself, his teammates expect the young forward to be “locked in” once the paperwork is complete.
Source: ESPN
