Jonathan Kuminga willing to accept $7.9 million qualifying offer, agent says
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San Francisco — Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga is ready to sign his $7.9 million qualifying offer if the club does not add a player option to its current proposals, agent Aaron Turner told ESPN’s “The Hoop Collective” podcast.
Turner said the 22-year-old would give up more than $40 million in guaranteed salary over the next two seasons but would gain unrestricted free agency and an inherent no-trade clause in the summer of 2026. “He wants to pick where he wants to go,” Turner noted. “So the QO is real for sure.”
According to Turner, Golden State has submitted three structures:
- Three years, $75.2 million, team option in Year 3 (guarantees $48.3 million).
- Two years, $45 million, team option in Year 2.
- Three years, $54 million, fully guaranteed.
Kuminga has rejected all three, asking the Warriors to convert any team option into a player option. The front office has refused to include that concession, and it has also asked Kuminga to waive the no-trade clause tied to the qualifying offer.
Turner argued that a player option would keep Kuminga “happy and treated fairly” while preserving Golden State’s chance to compete immediately. He added that Kuminga would accept the two-year, $45 million figure without dropping the no-trade clause, or a higher annual salary if the club insists on a team option.
The standoff has stalled Golden State’s offseason. Less than two weeks before training camp, the Warriors have only nine players under contract and are the lone NBA team yet to sign a free agent. League sources expect veteran deals for Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II once Kuminga’s status is resolved.
Kuminga has explored outside interest this summer. The Sacramento Kings have dangled a three-year package worth $63–66 million, while the Phoenix Suns have signaled four years at $80–88 million. Neither club has assembled a sign-and-trade palatable to Golden State, but Turner said the conversations underscored the larger roles other organizations would offer.
“They’re saying, ‘We want you to be you. We want to put the ball in your hands,’” Turner explained, contrasting that with a likely bench role in a Warriors frontcourt that could feature Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Horford. Turner added that Kuminga understands he might not start or finish games under head coach Steve Kerr and would have limited chances to expand his mid-range game.
Warriors owner Joe Lacob traveled to Miami in August to meet with Kuminga, but the impasse persists. Turner said his client remains committed to helping Stephen Curry chase another championship, provided the contract reflects what he views as “respect.”
Source: ESPN
