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Jimmy Butler's Function Won't Change the Jonathan Kuminga Saga
May 8, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

As the Golden State Warriors are at a standstill with the Jonathan Kuminga contract situation, most of the team is reportedly going through a set of pre-training camp sessions out in San Diego. The keyword here is “most.”

Jonathan Kuminga has opted against attending. It’s nothing personal—just business.

“Jimmy Butler is actually holding a team function, a team minicamp in San Diego this week. This is the first full year of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler all together,” ESPN’s Shams Charania explained.

“One player that is not there—the only player on the potential Warriors roster that isn’t there is the restricted free agent, Jonathan Kuminga. My understanding is that he is not appearing at this team function, this camaraderie, minicamp in San Diego; this is still at a stalemate.”

The former seventh-overall pick remains a restricted free agent, with a qualifying offer on the table from the Warriors. After four seasons with the organization, Kuminga hoped to cash out with a large multi-year offer. He landed two short-term deals from the Warriors, and both contracts have team options attached.

For Kuminga, the veteran forward would like to hold the power at the end of those deals. Since the Warriors won’t budge on those terms, Kuminga gets closer to taking on the qualifying offer each day.

“The player option still remains critical in these conversations,” Charania added on Wednesday.

“We know about the three-year $75 million offer, or the two-year $45 million offer. Both still have team options in them. … These sides still have a stalemate. Jonathan Kuminga did not appear at the first kind of team-related event the Warriors players had today.”

October 1 is the next key date for Kuminga. If he doesn’t sign one of the offers mentioned above, he’ll stick to the one-year, qualifying offer. At that point, it will be clear that it’s likely only a matter of time before Kuminga will be talking shop with another club.

If Kuminga reaches free agency next summer, he could have a crowded market. At this point, he’s got 258 games under his belt, which doesn’t include the three playoff runs he’s been a part of. Last season, Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 47 matchups. He was a key reserve for a Warriors team that took some time to find its true identity.

The new era with Jimmy Butler, Steph Curry, and Draymond Green is here for a full season. Kuminga’s involvement in that long-term is currently unclear. Many are skeptical about Kuminga’s ability to be a positive contributor with the major contract situation looming over him. Not showing up to a team-related event certainly won’t help the narrative.

There wasn’t a ton of sign-and-trade smoke outside of Sacramento this summer, but Kuminga is certainly a name that forward-needy teams are going to keep an eye on this season.

More Fastbreak on SI


This article first appeared on Fastbreak on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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