The Golden State Warriors season ended without a playoff appearance, and it should lead to major changes in the offseason. One of the major decisions for the franchise is extending Jonathan Kuminga's contract. NBA analyst Logan Murdock broke down the off-court narratives at play with Kuminga's contract, especially the presence of Andrew Wiggins, who may be traded away to accommodate Kuminga.
"The comments Kuminga made midseason really made an impression on that coaching staff... On face value, it seems 'Oh yeah, they'll just sign Kuminga and trade away Wiggins.' Well, in Wiggins they see a guy they can trust in big moments which is what has pissed Kuminga off both publicly and privately. But they do that because they know if Wiggins doesn't get what he wants, he's not gonna lash out in the media which Kuminga did."
Even with the coaches seemingly trusting the veteran Wiggins more than Kuminga, the younger forward proved his value on the court last season as well as this, especially when Wiggins wasn't available. This could lead to contentious extension negotiations between Golden State and Kuminga.
"There's the Kuminga angle, rightfully so, because he feels pissed because he plays really well when Wiggins is out of the lineup, helps them get into the playoffs in 2023, then gets his minutes slashed. There's a lot of egos at play. And this is just the Kuminga angle of it... I won't be surprised if these negotiations are a little contentious."
Kuminga averaged 16.1 points and 4.8 rebounds this season, while Wiggins put up 13.2 points and 4.5 rebounds.
Kuminga had to essentially shame the Warriors coaching staff with public comments to get playing time this season, a move which worked well for the 21-year-old forward. Wiggins, on the other hand, dealt with personal upheavals amidst a difficult season, losing importance as Kuminga blossomed.
How Do The Warriors Manage This Situation?
It seems we're headed into an impasse where Kuminga likely feels he isn't being put in a position to succeed while sharing forward minutes with Wiggins. While Wiggins was crucial for the Warriors 2022 title triumph, he's had two subpar seasons and has struggled to adjust to the team recently. Given that Kuminga has Joe Lacob's support, it seems the Warriors pick him.
Picking Kuminga would be the right decision as well, with his youth providing a ton of upside. Wiggins is about to turn 30 years old and it seems like has already left his best days behind him. He should be a more traditionally reliable name as a 3-and-D forward, but he's been anything but reliable over the last two seasons.
A lucrative extension for Kuminga seems inevitable, especially with the Warriors taking nearly $70 million off their payroll this summer with Klay Thompson and Chris Paul's expiring contracts. Even if the pair are re-signed, they'll likely fetch a smaller sum than Kuminga, who's still considered one of the highest potential frontcourt pieces in the NBA.
Parting with Wiggins seems inevitable, as the Warriors need to use his contract to reinforce various positions on their team. Kuminga's attitude will continue concerning Warriors staffers, but as long as he's producing on the court, nobody should have a problem.
More must-reads: