Jonathan Kuminga Teases Free Agency Decision as 4 NBA Players Await Warriors Move

Jonathan Kuminga remains the focal point of the Golden State Warriors’ offseason. The 22-year-old was a solid contributor for the team last year, averaging 15.3 points off the bench while showing flashes on both ends of the floor. The entire offseason however, has been dominated by negotiations over a new contract, restricting the Warriors from making further moves.

To add to the reported friction between Kuminga and the team, Kuminga was filmed prepping with his trainers in a 3v3 game in an empty gym. The Warriors are currently at a mini-camp in San Diego, organized by Jimmy Butler, and Kuminga’s absence highlights how important control is for his camp as the team continues to wait for a final decision from him. The fact that he is still training, just away from the team, may as well hint towards a potential exit.

Bay Area reporter Dalton Johnson showcased the video of Kuminga’s workout on X, showing him working with his camp. Negotiations between the two parties have stalled after Kuminga was offered a three-year, $75.2M contract with a team option in the final year. The player has resisted the final-year team option because it requires him to cede control; he reportedly prefers the player option in a final year or a one-year deal.

His agent, Aaron Turner has suggested to Marc Stein that, “That’s because taking [the three-year deal]… greatly increases the likelihood that Kuminga gets traded between Dec. 15 and the Feb. 5 trade deadline.” The Warriors have rejected sign-and-trade offers this offseason already, but that is reportedly not tied to their intention of keeping him around long-term. Instead, the player and his agent clearly believe the front office simply wants him to sign a contract so that he can be shipped away for a package they do deem enough.