If you thought contract talks were just paperwork, think again. Jonathan Kuminga’s future with the Golden State Warriors is sitting on a knife-edge, and the stalemate is entering week seven. On NBA Today, Anthony Slater laid out the tension. “There’s dialogue, but as y’all know, talking doesn’t necessarily equal movement,” he said. Kuminga, according to Slater, wants a deal that shows he’s a building block. The word from his camp? “Pawn.”
The Warriors’ current offer of two years, $45 million, with a team option, feels like a placeholder. Kuminga doesn’t want to be set up as a mid-season trade chip. Instead, he’s looking for something longer, more secure, and more player-friendly. “If [2 years for $45M] with a team option is gonna be the best offer,” Slater reported, “he will see them in training camp on a $7.9M expiring qualifying offer which includes a no-trade clause.” That last part sent shockwaves.
Marc Grandi of 95.7 The Game reposted the clip, calling it “scary for the Warriors.” And he’s right. A qualifying offer means the 22-year-old could play out the year and hit unrestricted free agency next summer, which is, well, something the franchise can’t really afford to risk. Meanwhile, Golden State’s offseason moves are frozen.
“If [2 years for $45M] with a team option is gonna be the best offer, [Jonathan Kuminga] will see them in training camp on a $7.9M expiring, qualifying offer which includes a no-trade clause.”
That’s scary for the Warriors. https://t.co/Bfhmf7C7RO
— Marc Grandi (@MarcGrandi) August 15, 2025
Al Horford is waiting, De’Anthony Melton is waiting, and even Gary Payton II is waiting. All roads run through Kuminga’s deal, and September stands out as the month where patience runs out. So, what happens next? Do the Warriors bend, or does Kuminga bet on himself? Well, come back here to find out!
(This is a developing story…)
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