The Golden State Warriors are doubling down on Jonathan Kuminga’s future, even as their contract negotiations remain tense and trade chatter has circled all summer. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater, the Warriors have offered Kuminga a three-year, $75.2 million contract with a team option in the third season, a deal worth $48.3 million guaranteed over the first two years.
The proposal is notable not only for the dollar figure but also for the structure. Golden State wants to retain full control with a team option and the waiving of the inherent no-trade clause, something Kuminga’s camp has resisted from the start.
While the $21.7 million annual salary matches the market value of comparable young players like Josh Giddey, the lack of long-term security has been the sticking point. The only fully guaranteed offer the Warriors have made is a three-year, $54 million deal, well below what Kuminga and his representatives believe he’s worth.
Golden State’s front office, led by general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., has been firm in its stance. They rejected sign-and-trade frameworks involving the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings earlier in the offseason.
Phoenix reportedly offered Royce O’Neale and second-round compensation, while Sacramento floated a package centered on Malik Monk and a future first-round pick. Both deals would have given the Warriors immediate rotation help and draft capital, but ownership, particularly Joe Lacob, has been unwilling to part with Kuminga at this stage.
The Warriors’ gamble comes at a fascinating crossroads for the franchise. With Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and new addition Jimmy Butler nearing the twilight of their careers, Golden State is caught between chasing another title now and grooming Kuminga into the star they believe he can become.
Lacob has long been one of Kuminga’s strongest advocates, even overruling others in the front office and coaching staff during the 2021 draft to select him seventh overall. That loyalty has helped Kuminga stay put through trade rumors, but his own patience appears to be wearing thin.
Kuminga’s camp has countered with proposals that prioritize player control, including a shorter one-year “bridge deal” that would boost his salary above the $8 million qualifying offer and allow him unrestricted free agency next summer. The Warriors dismissed that option, viewing it as too risky, since it could leave them with nothing in return if Kuminga walks.
Meanwhile, Kuminga remains confident in his trajectory. He broke through during last season’s playoffs, becoming the youngest Warriors player since Jamaal Wilkes in 1975 to record three straight 20-point games. His athleticism, scoring bursts, and defensive versatility make him a valuable piece, even if head coach Steve Kerr has at times questioned the fit alongside Curry, Butler, and Green in crunch time.
For now, the Warriors’ offer sits on the table: big money, but team-friendly control. Kuminga’s response will define whether this is a temporary standoff or the start of an inevitable split. And with rival teams still circling, the question lingers: does Golden State truly want Kuminga as part of its future, or are they simply waiting for the right moment to trade him?
