Sooner or later, Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors will need to reach an agreement. The two sides have been locked in a stalemate all summer, as Kuminga continues to drag his heels throughout his restricted free agency.
According to ESPN's Anthony Slater, the Warriors have now begun some "renewed efforts" to reach an agreement with Kuminga. Their latest push is likely a result of Josh Giddey reaching an agreement with the Chicago Bulls.
"There's been renewed efforts, genuine efforts this week to try to get it over the finish line," Slater said. "I think the Josh Giddey contract, four years, 100 million, provided a little bit of extra motivation for the talks ... But the big difference between the two situations is Giddey signed four years, no team options either way. He's signing on to the Bulls to be their starting point guard of the future ... The Kuminga situation doesn't have nearly the structure or relationship backbone where the Warriors are trying to get him on this very team-friendly deal."
Some of the latest on the Jonathan Kuminga front as Warriors’ training camp draws closer pic.twitter.com/QMke3DBdDp
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) September 12, 2025
Unlike Giddey, Kuminga's role with the Warriors is far from clear. He has struggled to cement himself in Steve Kerr's plans since entering the league. It appears that this has been a core factor in the current standoff.
At this point in the summer, the most likely outcome for Kuminga and the Warriors is that he signs his qualifying offer. Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area recently detailed why Kuminga inking his qualifying offer is the most logical route.
“He entered September facing two options,” Poole wrote of Kuminga. “One, accept Golden State’s qualifying offer of $7.99 million. Two, sign a two-year contract at $45 million, with a team option in Year 2. He has shown no interest in that. Kuminga has shown more interest in the qualifying offer — which gives him trade veto power and puts him on the market next summer.”
By signing his qualifying offer, Kuminga would be taking control of his own narrative. He would become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Furthermore, he could use his expiring contract as a potential no-trade clause, ensuring he's not traded to a situation that doesn't suit him.
After spending the entire season trying to reach an agreement with Kuminga, the Warriors need to wrap things up and turn their attention elsewhere. They remain the only franchise in the NBA that has not added any new talent.
Fortunately for the Warriors, it would appear Al Horford, De'Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II have all remained patient and will join the franchise.
Nevertheless, with training camp right around the corner and preseason hot on its heels, the Warriors can't afford to have their focus split. Therefore, it makes sense that the front office has made one final push with Kuminga.
It will certainly be interesting to see how things play out in the coming weeks.
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