Gilbert Arenas recently discussed the Golden State Warriors’ looming decision regarding Jonathan Kuminga’s contract extension on his podcast, Gil’s Arena.
“You’re giving it to him, hoping he takes it, right? You’re hoping he takes it because it saves you a lot of money. Now, if he goes out and plays, and then becomes everything we think he’s going to be, then we have to give it to him. So Golden State is bluffing. It’s a bluff, right?
Since he’s restricted, it’s basically on him. Think about it—if he goes out there and averages 20 and 10, I give him $200 million, no problem. But if he doesn’t, then it’s $150 million, and that’s it. So with Golden State, there’s no point in stressing. If he takes the offer, cool—thank you. If not, he goes out there and plays for it.” (2:13:00)
The former All-Star gave his take on whether Kuminga deserves a max contract and whether the Warriors are bluffing when it comes to the young Congolese forward’s potential $224 million deal. Gilbert Arenas expressed skepticism about the Warriors’ seriousness in offering such a deal, noting that they are likely using negotiation tactics to evaluate Kuminga’s performance before making any decisions.
In other words, Kuminga’s ability to secure a max contract depends heavily on his performance in the upcoming season. If he has a breakout year, averaging strong numbers across the board, the Warriors may reconsider and offer him a significant extension. However, Arenas also mentioned that even if Kuminga underperforms, he is still likely to receive an offer in the range of $150 million due to his potential and the restricted free agent status.
Kuminga is entering the final year of his rookie contract, having come off a season where he posted career-highs in nearly every major statistical category. He averaged 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting 52.9% from the field. Despite these improvements, the Warriors are reportedly not ready to offer him the max extension he seeks. According to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, the front office is likely to wait and see how Kuminga performs this season before making any final decisions.
This strategy makes sense given Kuminga’s restricted free agent status. The Warriors will have the ability to match any offer he receives next offseason, allowing them the flexibility to wait and assess his progress. Kuminga, for his part, will need to continue his development and show that he can be a key piece in the Warriors’ future, especially as the team prepares for the post-Steph Curry era.
In the 2023-24 season, Kuminga demonstrated versatility, moving between starting and bench roles while maintaining consistent production. His ability to perform in both roles shows that he can be a reliable contributor in high-pressure situations, a trait that will be crucial as he aims for a larger contract.
As Kuminga enters the season, the pressure is on for him to prove that he is worth the investment. If he continues to improve, the Warriors may find themselves with no choice but to offer the max contract to keep him as a cornerstone for their future.
However, the front office is in no rush to make that decision, preferring to see if Jonathan Kuminga can sustain or even elevate his current level of play before committing to such a massive financial investment.
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