Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga labeled 'miserable' amid contract standoff

Kuminga has struggled to earn a legitimate role within Steve Kerr's rotation during his first four years in the league. Given his status as a former lottery pick and his potential ability to become an All-Star caliber player, his frustrations are fair. 

Unfortunately for Kuminga, the Warriors hold all the cards. The only way for him to take control of his narrative would be for him to sign his qualifying offer. That way, he can become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He could also use that impending free agency as a de facto no-trade clause by refusing to re-sign with teams he has no interest in playing for. 

Jonathan Kuminga could be tempted to re-sign with Warriors 

The biggest roadblock in negotiations between Kuminga and the Warriors is Golden State's insistence on a team option being present for the final year of his deal. Kuminga is reportedly seeking the additional control a player option would provide. 

In fact, according to ESPN's Anthony Slater, if the Warriors were to agree to a player option, Kuminga would sign the three-year deal that's on the table.

“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 on a Tuesday episode of "NBA Today." “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.”

Regardless of whether Kuminga signs the offer or not, his long-term future still projects to be away from the Bay Area. Nevertheless, both he and the Warriors project to gain something from an agreement being reached. 

That's why Kuminga re-signing with the Warriors now projects as the most logical outcome. Once that happens, prepare for the trade rumors to start flying, either closer to the Feb. 5 trade deadline or at the start of next summer.