Qualifying Offer Remains Most Attractive Offer to Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga

The one-year, $7.9 million qualifying offer remains the most attractive offer to Golden State Warriors restricted NBA free agent Jonathan Kuminga, according to Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area.

The Warriors offered Kuminga a two-year, $45 million contract. Kuminga declined the offer because the second year of the deal is a team option and not a player option.

Kuminga wants a similar contract as Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham and Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes, according to Ron Kroichick of The San Francisco Chronicle. Cunningham signed a five-year, $269 million extension with the Pistons, while Barnes signed a five-year, $224 million extension with the Raptors.

Kuminga wants to leave Golden State. However, since there are no teams with cap space to sign Kuminga to an offer sheet and the Warriors aren’t interested in what the Phoenix Suns or Sacramento Kings have offered them in sign-and-trade talks, Kuminga is stuck with the Dubs.

The 22-year-old Kuminga doesn’t have a good relationship with Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, sources told DallasHoopsJournal. At this point in the offseason, Kuminga either has to sign the contract Golden State is offering him or play next season on the $7.9 million qualifying offer, which would have an implied no-trade clause. The swingman would then hit unrestricted free agency next offseason.

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. The Warriors lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the conference semifinals in five games.

A one-time 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 has until October 1 to sign his qualifying offer for next season.