Jonathan Kuminga reportedly declined another offer from the Golden State Warriors as he seeks a longer extension with the franchise. On Wednesday, ESPN reported that the Dubs have attempted to secure a deal with Kuminga, who turned down the offer due to the terms.
According to Shams Charania and Anthony Slater, the Warriors are offering Kuminga a two-year deal worth $45 million. However, a team option for the second year of the contract, as well as the team’s refusal to maintain a built-in no-trade clause, has become the point of contention for the 22-year-old rising star.
Golden State signed Kuminga to a four-year rookie contract after drafting him with the seventh pick in 2021. He has since been a consistent role player for Steve Kerr’s side and contributed to their 2022 title win.
Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, met with the team during the Summer League in Las Vegas and presented some ideas for a deal, including a three-year, $82 million deal. If it materializes, the deal would keep Golden State below the second apron and allow them to use the taxpayer midlevel exception, per ESPN.
Over the past month, Kuminga and Turner have explored the market for sign-and-trade options, which led to promising conversations with the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. The conversations reportedly led to proposals of four-year deals worth around $90 million, with a player option for the final season.
ESPN also noted that Phoenix is in a lucrative pursuit of a sign-and-trade after losing Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal this offseason. Still, Golden State is not entertaining the offers for Kuminga and is exercising his restricted free agency to its fullest extent.
Golden State reportedly wants Kuminga to be part of the roster at the start of the 2025-26 season. They are allowing him to pick between the two-year proposal and the standing $7.9 million one-year qualifying offer.
Kuminga had previously told ESPN he is in no rush to reach an agreement with the Dubs. ESPN’s sources reported that he prefers to start fresh with the long-term offers from Sacramento and Phoenix. The potential opportunities will present growth in his role, increased playing time, career control and more financial rewards.
The power forward suggested that taking the Warriors’ two-year offer means giving the team the steering wheel on his future after they “stunted and strung his career along for four seasons”, per ESPN.
Kuminga’s role with the Warriors has been marred with questions at the end of his rookie deal after the team acquired Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. While his minutes have gone down from last season, Kuminga stayed productive with 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in 47 appearances.
The CBA suggests that Golden State’s one-plus-one contract would include an inherent no-trade clause, as Kuminga’s Bird rights would be maintained by his next team. In that case, if the Dubs take an offer, Kuminga would have some control over where he lands. According to ESPN, Golden State requested that Kuminga waive the no-trade clause.
Kuminga has until October 1 to accept the Warriors’ offer while the negotiations continue. The Dubs will look to secure Kuminga’s services or a better deal for him as they return from a seventh seed finish with a 48-34 record. Their season ended in the second round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves after getting past the Houston Rockets.
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