The 6-foot-8 champ, still just 22, is in the midst of fraught negotiations about a possible next deal with the only NBA franchise he’s ever known.
Kuminga has until October 1 to use a major mechanism. That deadline could be his biggest remaining leverage in the ongoing talks.
What’s next for the Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga?
That date represents the last moment Kuminga can pick up his qualifying offer for 2025-26.
Per a fresh report, that might be exactly what Kuminga decides to do.
Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that, with the two sides still very far apart when it comes to his next salary, Kuminga would prefer to just opt for his qualifying offer season so that he can reach unrestricted free agency and control his own destiny as soon as possible.
“The one-year, $7.9 million qualifying offer remains the most attractive offer to Kuminga at the moment, sources continue to tell NBC Sports Bay Area,” Johnson writes. “The Warriors have offered a two-year contract worth roughly $45 million, but are holding strong to a team option for the second year, while Kuminga and his camp have made it clear they want a player option for Year 2.”
Per Johnson, Kuminga would net $21.75 million for 2025-26 in the Warriors’ proposed next agreement.
It appears that neither side much wants to stay in business with the other. Golden State would of course prefer that Beasley agrees to a lucrative new contract so that his money can be traded, either now or by next February’s deadline, and the club can bring in win-now assets.
Kuminga isn’t such a distressed asset, however. The No. 7 pick in the 2021 draft, he has emerged as a dynamic downhill scorer, and although his long range shooting is somewhat erratic, the athletic wing still clearly has upside.
Across just 47 games last year, Kuminga averaged 15.3 points on .454/.305/.668 shooting splits, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.8 steals per. He’s certainly worth more than that qualifying offer, and if the Warriors don’t appreciate his ceiling, someone else certainly will.
