The Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga were at a dead end during the offseason.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was to burn the bridges on both sides when he took Jonathan Kuminga out of the rotation ahead of the 2025 postseason.
As expected, Kuminga has been linked to the team throughout the summer. However, considering Kuminga is a restricted free agent, Dubs can always match any offer they receive.
Is there any way to convince the Warriors to return to Kuminga? Well, they can, but even in that scenario, he is reportedly leaving the team at the NBA trading deadline.
Even if Kuminga and the Warriors agree to a temporary ceasefire that starts the 2025-26 NBA season, they will still have to agree to the contract.
But Kuminga’s Warriors ratings aren’t even close to what the 22-year-old thinks of himself, according to NBA insider Brett Siegel.
“The Cuminga camp wants a big deal in the range of over $30 million and doesn’t want to go back with the Warriors. Golden State wants a small deal in the range of $200 million that can turn him over because there’s no market,” Siegel reported on the X.
He added: “Dubs (Are) causing a possible S&T with the bull (Chicago) bull. AyoDosunmu is a good player.”
Both sides are right in their own right, as the warriors don’t want to give Kuminga a contract that cannot be flipped before the NBA trade deadline.
As things stand now, engagement in sign and trade seems like the best option to meet both sides’ needs. Except if you take the Houston Rockets route.
To improve things, Kuminga agreed to a one-year deal, increasing the value for next season and was able to become an unlimited free agent in 2026.
This will allow Kuminga to attend the required destinations before the 2026-27 NBA season, but according to Siegel, the Warriors Stars have a great reason to avoid this route.
“Some people think this is Kuminga’s best option, but there are concerns. He doesn’t necessarily want to come back and what happens if he wants to get injured? That’s why he wants to be paid now,” Siegel explained.
Given that Kuminga missed 31 games due to an ankle injury during the 2024-25 NBA season, it’s no surprise that the 22-year-old doesn’t want to delay paying.
After all, if he reorganizes that injury next season, Cuminga’s value will take a big dip when he becomes UFA in 2026.