It’s no secret that Jonathan Kuminga doesn’t feel valued by the Golden State Warriors.
The 22-year-old NBA champion forward would love nothing more than to join a franchise willing to remove the training wheels from the get-go.
However, it appears that Kuminga will be forced to spend the first portion of the 2025-26 with the Dubs, considering the franchise has struggled to craft the perfect sign-and-trade headlined by Kuminga.
With training camp right around the corner, what are the two contract options on the table for the former lottery pick? NBC Sports’ Dalton Johnson broke it all down in a recent article.
“NBA training camp is in four weeks, and the Oct. 1 deadline for Kuminga to accept the qualifying offer is under a month away,” Johnson wrote Tuesday. “So, where are the two sides? Still miles apart, it appears.”
“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.”
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“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.”
“Year 1 of the Warriors’ offer is $21.75 million, per sources, but because of the base salary compensation rule, Kuminga’s outgoing salary is equal to half of that. So, much of this entire situation comes down to control.”
Kuminga must increase his trade value if he wants to garner significant interest from teams during the 2025-26 campaign.
Assuming Kuminga signs a new deal with Golden State before the start of his fifth NBA season, the 15.3 points per game scorer would be wise to start fast in Year 5.
Luckily, Kuminga has the luxury of picking up where he left off, as the 6-foot-7 forward played exceptionally well against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2025 Western Conference Semifinals.
Kuminga averaged 20.8 points on 54.3% field goal shooting and 42.1% three-point shooting in five games against Minnesota.
While the Timberwolves made quick work of the Dubs, Kuminga showed he could respond positively to his late-season benching by showing up when the organization needed him most (Stephen Curry was unable to suit up for most of the series due to a calf strain injury).
The Goma, DR Congo native should feel motivated to play his way out of the Bay as soon as possible.
