The NBA’s financial landscape continues to balloon, and with it, the price tags for young talent. According to Marc Stein, Jonathan Kuminga, Josh Giddey, and Cam Thomas are all seeking contracts worth roughly $30 million per year, a number that would place them alongside established All-Stars. But with none of them locked up yet, the question must be asked: who’s worth it, and who isn’t?
In this ranking, we break down each player’s production, upside, and market leverage to determine who deserves the bag… and who might be overplaying their hand.
Jonathan Kuminga – Borderline Worth It
Drafted 7th overall in 2021, Jonathan Kuminga is still just 22 years old and just four seasons into his NBA career. As a young and versatile wing player, it’s no surprise that Kuminga has found a place in the Warriors‘ rotation, but his role has fluctuated over the years to the point where both sides have grown sick of each other. The circumstances have led to a stalemate this summer, with Kuminga stuck in restricted free agency until he agrees to terms on a new deal with the Warriors.
The Warriors reportedly view Kuminga more as a high-level role player than a foundational star. That’s why their initial offer, $40 million over two years, fell well short of the $30 million annually he’s seeking. Among the remaining free agents, he might be the most valuable as an elite athlete trending upward with legitimate two-way potential (15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game last season). Plus, with four years of experience as a Warrior, Kuminga has learned from the best players in the game, including guys like Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler.
Cam Thomas – Not Quite There
There’s no question that Cam Thomas is one of the best isolation scorers in the NBA. In just four years in the NBA, he’s averaging 15.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game on 43.8% shooting. As his role has increased for the Nets, his stats have seen a gradual climb, and he believes he should be compensated like a bona fide star. Thomas has been one of the most underpaid volume scorers in the league, but jumping from a $4 million salary to $30 million is a steep leap, especially for a one-dimensional scorer.
As a restricted free agent, Cam is still in active negotiations with the Nets, who extended him a $5.9 million qualifying offer earlier this summer. While he was the team’s leading scorer last season, the Nets were barely competitive, finishing 12th in the East at 26-57. At his best, Cam Thomas is described as a microwave” scorer capable of major heat-check moments. But he lacks the impact and leadership of a $30 million player, who should be more than just a “specialist” in any one given area.
Josh Giddey – Overvalued
Josh Giddey is pushing for a major raise, and after a solid season with the Bulls, it’s not hard to see why. After three years of development with the Thunder, he joined Chicago in the summer of 2024 and was able to find his place on the team with averages of 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game on 46.5% shooting last season. But now, as a restricted free agent, Giddey is hoping to maximize the opportunity by holding out for a major pay raise.
As a scrappy defender and unique playmaker with high IQ, Giddey is the type of young guard who can fit just about anywhere. Unfortunately, he struggles as a shooter and can often be inconsistent on defense against quicker guards in isolation. His on-court flaws aside, Giddey’s value is further clouded by recent off-court controversies and a lack of elite impact. Still, we’ve seen GMs make worse decisions before.
Who Will Get A $30 Million Salary?
In a league where the salary cap keeps rising, betting on potential has become the norm, but not all upside is created equal. While Kuminga might be close to earning his payday, Cam Thomas and Josh Giddey still have work to do to justify that type of investment. Unless they prove otherwise, teams may hesitate before backing up the Brinks truck.
For now, the negotiations continue, and it will be interesting to see which side cracks first. So far, none of these players is close to securing their desired contract, but it doesn’t mean they intend to quit anytime soon. With weeks to go until the new season, there’s plenty of time to work out an agreement, and you can bet these players will do everything they can to get their way and win the stalemate once and for all.
