Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga remain at standstill as trade buzz lingers

The contract impasse between the Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga is not going away, and it remains the storyline shaping Golden State’s summer. 

The offer on the table from the Warriors has stayed the same: two years, $45 million, with a team option for the second season, as reported by Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Fischer adds that Golden State also wants Kuminga to waive his right to block trades during that year.

Kuminga and agent Aaron Turner are holding firm. They have no interest in a short deal with conditions, not when Phoenix was prepared to give Kuminga four years and nearly $90 million in a sign-and-trade that included a player option in Year 4.

Sacramento and Chicago have also expressed interest, further reinforcing the idea that Kuminga has a market beyond Golden State.

His last resort would be to take the $8 million qualifying offer that expires Oct. 1, making him an unrestricted free agent in 2026. That path comes with risk, but as Fischer notes, it may also be the bigger gamble for the Warriors, who would face the prospect of losing him for nothing.

Trade scenarios

According to Fischer, the most realistic target in any Kuminga trade would be Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III. The Warriors see Murphy’s length, defense and outside shooting as a perfect fit alongside Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.

The problem is New Orleans has no interest. The Pelicans have rejected all inquiries about Murphy, who is 25 years old and on a desirable $25 million contract for next season. San Antonio has also registered interest in Murphy, but again, it the Pelicans are intent on keeping him.

As for bigger swings, Fischer reports the Warriors have indeed checked on LeBron James’ availability with the Lakers, calling multiple times over the past 18 months. The challenge is matching James’ $52.6 million salary without gutting the roster, which makes such a deal unrealistic. The same goes for any scenario involving Giannis Antetokounmpo.

What comes next

In the meantime, Golden State’s roster sits with six open spots, the most in the league. Rival executives expect Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II to fill three of those, with second-round pick Will Richard expected to claim another.

Melton and Payton are projected for minimum deals. Horford, 39, has waited patiently all summer as the Warriors manage their cap situation.

One rival team hoped he might lose patience and consider other offers, but league belief remains that Horford will land in Golden State on the $5.7 million taxpayer midlevel exception, potentially with a player option for 2026-27.

For now, though, everything revolves around Kuminga. Until the Warriors decide whether to lock him up or move him, the rest of the roster is stuck in neutral.