Jonathan Kuminga’s contract saga has taken center stage in Golden State, with the 22-year-old forward making it clear he will not be treated as a pawn while the Warriors weigh trade possibilities. On ESPN’s NBA Today, reports surfaced that Kuminga rejected a two-year, $45 million deal that included a team option, signaling that he is prepared to take the $7.9 million qualifying offer instead.
“There’s been renewed conversations between the two sides. There’s dialogue, but as you all know, talking doesn’t necessarily equal movement. They’ve shared contract concepts and opinions about the whole thing between each other this last week, dating back to last weekend.”
“But Kuminga wants more of a player-friendly deal, more of a signal that he’s a building block, not just a trade asset. The word I’ve heard from the Kuminga side is ‘pawn.’ He doesn’t want to sign this two-year, $45 million deal with a team option where he is clearly just being used to be traded midseason.”
“That’s not something he wants to sign up for. Now, if you’re talking about a three-year deal, if you’re talking about something with a player option that shows him a little bit more commitment, that’s something he’d be interested in. But as of now, the Warriors have been hesitant to do that.”
“Because of that, Kuminga is signaling to those around him that he’s very willing, and actually prefers, the qualifying offer over the two-year, $45 million deal. And that’s dangerous for the Warriors. They can try to call his bluff, but right now it seems to be trending toward the qualifying offer.”
That stance has created a dangerous stalemate for the Warriors, who remain frozen in trade talks and free agency moves while their young forward demands a stronger commitment. The message from Kuminga’s side is simple, he wants to be seen as a building block, not just another asset to flip midseason.
The difference in negotiations boils down to control. The Warriors offered security in terms of dollars, but the team option told Kuminga everything he needed to know, that Golden State wanted the flexibility to flip him if the right deal came along. From Kuminga’s perspective, that’s not a partnership worth buying into.
He wants either a longer deal, ideally three years, or a player option that signals the franchise actually believes in him. Until that happens, he is content to ride out his qualifying offer and enter unrestricted free agency with more leverage.
Golden State’s refusal to budge is not without risk. If Kuminga takes the qualifying offer, he sets himself up to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027, at just 24 years old. That would give him full control over his future, something the Warriors can’t afford to gamble with given their uncertain timeline.
Stephen Curry has just a few years left of prime basketball, and keeping a rising forward like Kuminga should be a priority rather than a bargaining chip. Yet, as of now, the two sides remain stuck in a cycle of “talks without progress.”
The ripple effects extend beyond Kuminga’s personal contract. League sources confirm that the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns have both explored sign-and-trade scenarios, with Phoenix even submitting an offer. Golden State’s front office, however, immediately rejected those discussions after Kuminga refused the $45 million extension.
Their reasoning is clear, they don’t want to lose him for pennies on the dollar. The problem is that this stalemate is already paralyzing the Warriors’ offseason. Veteran targets such as Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, and Seth Curry are reportedly in advanced talks with Golden State, but nothing can move forward until Kuminga’s future is resolved.
This limbo is frustrating not only for the front office but also for the roster. Stephen Curry has made it known that he wants reinforcements if Golden State hopes to contend again, and waiting on Kuminga’s situation to clear up only delays the process.
The organization’s inability to commit one way or another, either as a long-term piece or as part of a trade for another star, has left them in no man’s land. For a franchise that once dominated the league with bold, decisive moves, the Warriors now look hesitant and stuck.
The standoff with Kuminga reveals a larger identity crisis for Golden State. Are they still trying to maximize Curry’s final championship window, or are they cautiously transitioning into a youth movement?
Until they make that decision, the Warriors risk wasting valuable time. For Kuminga, the stance is simple: he wants respect and commitment. For the Warriors, the clock is ticking.
Prediction: If the Warriors fail to resolve this soon, Kuminga will take the qualifying offer and bet on himself. That could end up being one of the costliest mistakes Golden State has made since the dynasty began, especially if he walks in 2027 as the player they never truly believed in.
