By now, the Jonathan Kuminga saga has dragged out far longer than any Golden State Warriors fan expected. His restricted free agency has gone on for six weeks and counting and shown no signs of ending.
Nevertheless, according to The Athletic (subscription required), a rival executive believes the Warriors are clearly low-balling him. Kuminga is seeking a contract that would pay him $30 million a year, while Golden State offered him just $22.5 million annually.
However, the anonymous executive would be willing to go as high as $40 million a season, giving Kuminga a 5-year, $125 million deal. Obviously, if that executive’s team had that money to offer, he’d be on another team by now. Instead, Kuminga is left to twist in the wind, waiting for a resolution.
The Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga are far apart on a new deal
The most likely resolution is that he takes a qualifying offer, essentially bringing him back to the Warriors on a one-year $7.9 million deal. That would give him a no-trade clause and allow him to hit free agency after next season and leave for nothing.
That wouldn’t be good for either side, with the Warriors potentially losing him for nothing next summer if they can’t agree to terms on a new deal. As for Kuminga, he wouldn’t have any job security. The most reasonable outcome would be for both sides to strike a middle ground, with the Warriors offering him approximately $26 million per season.
Even if it were a two-year deal, it would still allow the Warriors the flexibility to trade him during next season. Meanwhile, Kuminga would get paid and probably get a new team at some point next season.
The Warriors and Kuminga can still find middle ground on a contract
In that scenario, he might be willing to take that deal just to have it done. He’d also get much more than the $7.9 million qualifying offer.
Instead, he would be getting an additional $44.1 million in guaranteed salary while still being able to become an unrestricted free agent far younger than most players do. Most hit free agency after year eight, with Kuminga potentially doing so after six seasons. That would seemingly be the most reasonable outcome for both sides.
All told, the Warriors are playing hardball with Kuminga. However, if it were up to another team, he’d get more than what he’s being offered, meaning the Warriors should up their offer or risk losing him for nothing next summer.
