Warriors must confront ugly Jonathan Kuminga truth

If Kuminga's presence could derail Golden State's season, it makes sense to sound out willing trade partners. His tenure with the franchise is on borrowed time, so it makes no sense to force him to remain in a situation that isn't helping anybody. 

Warriors recently offered Kuminga an improved deal

According to a Monday report from ESPN's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater, the Warriors extended an improved contract offer to Kuminga last week. 

The terms of the most recent offer would have seen Kuminga earn $75.2 million over three years. Unfortunately, Golden State's insistence on a team option scuppered an agreement being reached.

“The Warriors have strengthened their effort. Late last week, Dunleavy offered Kuminga a three-year, $75.2 million deal with a team option in the third season, sources told ESPN,” Slater and Charania reported. “…Dunleavy and the Warriors are requesting the same structure as their previous proposal on the two-year, $45 million framework — a team option on the second season and a waiving of the inherent no-trade clause, sources said.”

Right now, it would appear that Kuminga's best path forward is to sign his qualifying offer. That way, he can enter unrestricted free agency next summer. However, the Warriors will want to avoid that scenario. It would remove the team's bargaining power in the trade market — they could lose a lottery pick for pennies on the dollar.

If things continue trending in the current direction, a sign-and-trade would be the best path for all parties. Unfortunately, with just weeks until the start of training camp, it may be too late. 

The Kuminga saga is set to continue for a bit longer, and how it ends remains to be seen. But for a Warriors team that has put its offseason on hold, a resolution can't come soon enough.