The days are ticking by for the Golden State Warriors, who still have yet to close any of their NBA offseason negotiations — especially the one that appears to be the most important before anything else can move forward: the case of Jonathan Kuminga.
Jonathan Kuminga’s contract talks with the Warriors have reached a standstill. According to Danny Emerman of The San Francisco Standard, the two sides have not spoken in weeks, and there’s a “distinct possibility” that the deadlock could stretch well into August.
“The Warriors and Kuminga’s camp haven’t had contact for a couple of weeks,” Emerman reported. “As he remains at a standstill, there’s a distinct possibility that negotiations — or the lack thereof — could continue through August.”
The silence follows weeks of stalled discussions over the structure of Kuminga’s next deal. While both sides are believed to be interested in continuing their partnership, sticking points reportedly include contract length, guarantees, and player control — all factors that could play a major role in shaping Kuminga’s role and future with the franchise.
Golden State reportedly offered Kuminga a two-year, $45 million contract that is essentially a one-year deal. The proposal is not guaranteed for the second year and would require Kuminga to waive his no-trade clause during the first.
The early promise in Kuminga’s career, however, did not fully translate last season. As the Warriors struggled to keep pace with NBA Western Conference contenders, Kuminga’s inexperience and youth became more of a challenge. In his fourth NBA season, his role fluctuated heavily.
In 47 games, he started just 10 times, with averages dropping from 16.1 points in 26.3 minutes to 15.3 points in 24.4 minutes. By the postseason, Kuminga’s relationship with the Warriors had soured due to frequent DNPs and what he felt was a lack of opportunity to develop.
While options such as a sign-and-trade or Kuminga accepting the $7.9 million qualifying offer remain on the table, no resolution appears imminent with training camp just six weeks away. In the meantime, the Warriors also remain in limbo regarding other moves, with veteran big man Al Horford reportedly in their sights — but, like everything else, without any concrete progress.