The Golden State Warriors are reportedly prepared to take restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga into the 2025-26 season rather than accept recent sign-and-trade offers from the Phoenix Suns or Sacramento Kings, league insiders told The Athletic.
Offers on the table
• Phoenix proposed a four-year, $90 million contract for Kuminga as part of a sign-and-trade, but Golden State was dissatisfied with the assets the Suns were willing to send back.
• Sacramento offered a three-year, $63 million deal and put veteran guard Malik Monk plus a 2030 first-round pick protected through the lottery on the table. The Warriors insisted the pick be unprotected, stalling discussions.
Warriors’ stance
Golden State has extended Kuminga a one-year, $7.9 million qualifying offer, giving the club control over his restricted free agency and no requirement to move him unless he refuses to sign. The team is now signaling it may shut down sign-and-trade talks altogether, according to reporters Shams Charania and Anthony Slater.
Player’s position
Kuminga has turned down a two-year, $45 million proposal from the Warriors, sources said, largely because the offer included a team option for Year 2 and removed a built-in no-trade clause. Only LeBron James and Damian Lillard currently possess no-trade clauses in active NBA contracts.
The 22-year-old forward is also seeking assurances of a larger role and more minutes in 2025-26. Both the Suns and Kings have indicated they would give him significant playing time and a starting opportunity, league sources told ESPN.
Possible next steps
If no agreement is reached, Golden State could still look to move Kuminga during the 2025-26 campaign. Should the impasse persist, he would be positioned to enter unrestricted free agency next summer.
By the numbers
The No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 draft averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 24.3 minutes across 47 games (10 starts) last season.
Source: Basketball Insiders
