Warriors Make Big Jonathan Kuminga Decision Before Free Agency

With most teams lacking significant cap space for the 2025 free agency period, the most likely scenario expected is a sign-and-trade that gets Kuminga to his next team. This is especially true considering the news out of Golden State this morning.

Anthony Slater reported, "The Warriors have officially tendered the $7.9 million qualifying offer to Jonathan Kuminga, setting the stage for his restricted free agency."

Kuminga was drafted in 2021. With such a quick turnaround on the former lottery pick's potential desire to leave, the Warriors were always going to have leverage in retaining value for his departure.

Tendering his qualifying offer allows Golden State the opportunity to dictate how they want to approach this situation.

If the Warriors feel there is still a mutually beneficial relationship to be had with the athletic forward, they can always match any contract that is offered to Kuminga this offseason. The more likely outcome, though, would be this move allowing Golden State to maintain control with potential suitors wanting to do business with them.

Kuminga is certainly young enough, with enough flashes of upside, to offer enticement for a team to take a chance on him. Figuring out who that team will be should be one of the biggest tipping points to this year's free agency.