Warriors' conference rivals confident in Jonathan Kuminga's interest

The time for Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors to decide their current contractual standoff is drawing near. Despite months of negotiations, neither side has given much ground. 

Therefore, the Warriors have three options available: Accept that Kuminga could sign his qualifying offer, adjust their current offer to fit what the explosive forward is looking for or explore sign-and-trade opportunities. 

Multiple reports have linked Kuminga with interest from the Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings. And, according to a Sept. 16 report from The Athletic's Sam Amick, Sacramento remains confident Kuminga would want to sign with the franchise. 

"The Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns remain the two suitors in play, though league and team sources say a deal with either team is highly unlikely unless something significant changes regarding the respective offers," Amick wrote. "Team sources say the Kings are under the impression that Kuminga does, in fact, want to play for them. The Warriors shut down talks with both teams earlier in the summer, but could always pick up the phone at the 11th hour."

Any move to the Kings would likely result in Malik Monk heading to the Bay Area. Monk, 27, would be a strong fit next to Stephen Curry. His playmaking (5.6 assists per game last season) and versatile scoring (17.2 points per game) would help elevate the Warriors' overall offensive production.

Jonathan Kuminga has struggled to fit with Golden State Warriors

Since being drafted with the seventh overall pick in 2021, Kuminga has struggled to cement himself in Steve Kerr's rotation. He has bounced between the starting lineup and the second unit and has even been glued to the bench for stretches of the season.

Therefore, it could make sense for the Warriors to cash in on Kuminga, especially if he's disillusioned with his role within the franchise. Clearly, there are interested parties elsewhere in the NBA. If Golden State can receive a player like Monk, who would undoubtedly be a better fit within the team's system, it would make sense to at least explore that possibility. 

One change could convince Jonathan Kuminga to re-sign

Nevertheless, if the Warriors are committed to re-signing Kuminga and figuring out how to integrate him into the rotation, it would appear there's a clear pathway to doing so. According to ESPN's Anthony Slater, speaking on a Sept. 16 episode of "NBA Today," if the Warriors exercise the team option on their current contract offer, Kuminga would re-sign with the franchise.

"I actually talked to Aaron Turner, Jonathan Kuminga’s agent, this morning, and the messaging they’re adopting this week is simple: turn the team option into a player option, and the deal is done," Slater said. "The three-year contract on the table is worth around $74 million, and if the third year becomes a player option, Kuminga will not only sign it but also fully buy into the team’s mission. That mission, Turner says, is helping Stephen Curry and Draymond Green chase a fifth championship and giving Jimmy Butler a shot at his first."