The Golden State Warriors have been at a standstill on a new deal with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga all summer, and there’s still no end in sight as training camp nears.
The Warriors reportedly offered the promising young forward a two-year, $45 million deal to return, though it included a team option for the second season. Kuminga appears unlikely to agree to that contract and could instead accept his $7.9 million qualifying offer.
A sign-and-trade remains an option if Golden State is unwilling to offer the 22-year-old a long-term pact. Still, the Warriors could include a player option instead of a team option to appeal to Kuminga.
Jonathan Kuminga remains tied to Kings
The Sacramento Kings have reportedly shown interest in finalizing a sign-and-trade deal for Kuminga this summer, though nothing has materialized. Still, Nathaniel Holloway of Athlon Sports suggested the Kings could still pursue him.
“It has been reported that Sacramento made a contract offer to Kuminga, though they failed to meet Golden State’s high asking price to acquire him via a sign-and-trade,” he wrote. “Despite this, the Warriors may be willing to move off their original asking price for Kuminga since they have failed to make any additions to their roster in free agency and if that is the case, the Kings may be in prime position to make a deal for him.”
Kuminga could still accept his qualifying offer, playing out the 2025-26 campaign and becoming an unrestricted free agent next offseason. However, doing so would give him a no-trade clause, leaving the Warriors at risk of losing him for nothing. Additionally, the team has been unable to complete any other major deals in free agency while negotiating with Kuminga.
If Golden State believes a long-term deal is out of reach, a sign-and-trade appears realistic. Kuminga seems eager to step into a larger role, which the Kings — who have missed the postseason in back-to-back years — could offer.
