Warriors restricted free agent to use Las Vegas as negotiating hub

NBA free agency is almost a week old. However, there has been little movement in the restricted free-agent market. All of the marquee names remain stuck in the same spot they were on June 30. 

That includes Jonathan Kuminga. 

The Golden State Warriors forward is reportedly drawing attention from multiple teams around the league. However, base compensation rules and the reality of a hard cap have made sign-and-trade deals difficult to navigate. 

As such, Kuminga could find himself staying in the Bay Area beyond this summer. The problem is, even the Warriors haven't made much headway in negotiating with the former lottery pick. 

According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Kuminga and his camp will likely use the Las Vegas Summer League as a negotiating ground. The explosive forward is expected to meet with Warriors representatives and the front offices of interested teams around the NBA.

"There’s a tentative plan for face-to-face meetings between Kuminga and prospective suitors in Las Vegas during the NBA Summer League, should the process extend that far." Slater reported. "An eventual compromise and return to the Warriors also remains very much on the table, league sources said, considering the market dynamics at play. The two sides have talked about a sit-down in Las Vegas between Kuminga, Turner, general manager Mike Dunleavy and head coach Steve Kerr to discuss a possible path forward." 

Kuminga is playing things smart. He has struggled to crack Steve Kerr's rotation since being drafted by the franchise. It makes little sense to re-sign with Golden State unless they change their stance or are the only viable option.

Meeting with teams in Vegas will give Kuminga the opportunity to get a feel for how warm his market really is. It's also a chance for him to sell himself to prospective suitors. 

Kuminga's restricted free agency has the potential to drag on throughout the summer. He could even choose to sign his qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

After multiple years of trying to prove himself with the Warriors, Kuminga might want a fresh start somewhere else in the league. However, there's no guarantee that's going to happen this summer. And that makes the whole scenario even more enthralling.