It’s happened. It’s finally happened. After negotiations arguably more arduous than Josh Giddey’s with the Chicago Bulls, restricted free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga has agreed to a contract with the Golden State Warriors.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors have agreed to a two-year, $48.5 million contract that includes a team option in the second season. Kuminga falls short of his push for a long-term deal worth $30 million annually but secures a payday $15 million above his would-be qualifying offer.
The Warriors have finally re-signed a disgruntled Jonathan Kuminga
On the flip side, Golden State secures an ascending 22-year-old talent in Kuminga without breaking the bank on a player who has yet to fully break out. He’s shown flashes of vast two-way potential, but for whatever reason never cemented himself as a starter in Steve Kerr’s rotation.
Amid the Warriors’ abbreviated postseason run, Kerr noted that Kuminga’s and Jimmy Butler’s games didn’t mesh well. Later in the offseason, reports surfaced that Warriors owner Joe Lacob was the driving force behind selecting Kuminga in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Still, apparently, Kuminga and Kerr’s relationship isn’t strained, but it’s no secret that the 6-foot-7 wing has yearned for a larger role. Less than a week ago, Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, said, “He wants to be a focal point of a team. He wants a bigger role. That’s not really a secret. Is he open to coming back? He’s digested it, and he’s open-minded to it.”
Kuminga’s one-year deal keeps Bulls in the mix
Now here we are. Kuminga is headed back to the Bay Area… but only for one season. When reporting Kuminga’s signing, Charania deliberately wrote, “The deal has a team option designed for the contract to be ripped up and renegotiated next summer.”
That leaves hope for the only other team reportedly interested in Kuminga—Chicago. Earlier in the offseason, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that Kuminga’s camp had been hopeful for a sign-and-trade sending the 22-year-old to the Bulls. Fischer added it might have been possible if Chicago hadn’t jumped the gun and acquired Isaac Okoro.
It’s entirely possible the Bulls could make another push for Kuminga next offseason, but only if his team option is declined, which he could request if he remains unhappy with his role in Golden State.
Moreover, a trade is also a possibility. Charania even noted, “Now, both sides understand the likelihood of exploring trades when Kuminga is eligible to be moved in mid-January. As part of the deal, he is waiving his inherent no-trade clause.”
Kuminga has several outs he could exploit. If Chicago remains his preferred destination, he could potentially force a move. After all, the Bulls will have plenty of salary cap space with a slew of players hitting free agency in 2026. Both parties could at long last convene a year from now.
