‘No Movement Toward a Compromise’ Between Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors

There has been “no movement toward a compromise” between Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors, according to NBA insider Anthony Slater of ESPN.

Kuminga remains a restricted free agent. He has indicated to those close to him that the $7.9 million qualifying offer is more appealing to him than the Warriors’ current pitch.

“The Warriors initially presented it to Kuminga’s representation as a tradeable deal that could ultimately appease the long-term wishes of both sides when he’s eligible to be moved again in January, sources said. It’s why Golden State wants a team option in the second season and requested Kuminga waive his inherent no-trade clause,” Slater wrote.

“But that’s also why Kuminga has continued to shut it down. He doesn’t want such a team-friendly deal, sources said, and the idea of signing up to be more easily traded midseason is unappealing to him.”

Kuminga wants to leave the Warriors, sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com. The problem is that there are no teams with cap space to sign him to an offer sheet and Golden State hasn’t been impressed with sign-and-trade offers from the Sacramento Kings or Phoenix Suns.

The 22-year-old Kuminga doesn’t have a good relationship with Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.4 blocks for Golden State last season in 47 games, shooting 45.4% from the field, 30.5% from beyond the arc and 66.8% from the free-throw line. 

A one-time NBA champion, Kuminga was the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He enters next season with career averages of 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Warriors.

“Jonathan Kuminga set out this summer in search of a contract that would signify a commitment to him as a future building block for the Warriors or elsewhere, sources said,” Slater wrote. “His representation presented a three-year, $82 million deal, which the Warriors resisted. As of this past weekend, there had been no movement toward a compromise.”