if there’s one team looking to maximize its window to compete for another championship, it’s the Golden State Warriors.
Golden State made a bold move at last season’s trade deadline by acquiring Jimmy Butler to pair with veterans Draymond Green, 35, and Stephen Curry, 37, in hopes of keeping their title aspirations alive in a loaded Western Conference.
But after making minimal offseason additions, the franchise is now facing a growing concern with one of its most valuable young players: Jonathan Kuminga.
Kuminga is expected to be a key contributor this season, but with training camp set to open at the end of the month and the regular season roughly 50 days away, contract talks remain stalled.
According to Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area, the Warriors and Kuminga are “nowhere close” on a deal. He has until Oct. 1 to decide whether to accept the qualifying offer.
The Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga remain far apart on a deal with training camp starting this month, per @DaltonJ_Johnson
Kuminga is leaning toward the 1-year, $7.9M qualifying offer after Golden State refused to add a player option in their 2-year, $45M offer. 🍿
(Via… pic.twitter.com/jMcYtUkWXS
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 3, 2025
Right now, Kuminga appears more inclined to take a one-year, $7.9 million qualifying offer rather than a two-year, $45 million extension. The sticking point is the second-year clause: the Warriors want it to be a team option, while Kuminga’s camp is pushing for a player option, which would give him flexibility to opt out and pursue a bigger contract next offseason if he outperforms his deal.
If he accepts the qualifying offer, it could be a blow to Golden State, as it would essentially eliminate his trade value during the season.
Since drafting him in 2021, the Warriors and Kuminga have often disagreed on his overall value. Still, the 22-year-old has youth on his side and back-to-back seasons averaging 15+ points, 4-plus rebounds, and 2-plus assists — production that remains crucial as the Warriors try to maximize whatever time they have left with Curry at the helm.
