The Golden State Warriors could find themselves in a difficult position with one of their stars next season.
The Golden State Warriors have been alarmingly silent during this offseason. Despite some obvious issues with their roster, the Warriors have done nothing to address these problems.
They haven’t made a single signing or trade so far. And the reason behind that is quite simple. It’s the man who wore #00 for them the last few years.
The Warriors have stalled their offseason for Jonathan Kuminga. The young forward is a restricted free agent, and is yet to re-sign with the team.
This week, the Warriors offered Kuminga a two-year, $45 million contract. Unsurprisingly, he rejected the offer, as Kuminga wants to earn $30 million or more per season.
Kuminga and his agent are standing up to the Warriors. But even if the Warriors are able to bring him back next season, they might face trouble with him.
Zach Lowe says Jonathan Kuminga and Golden State Warriors relationship is ruined
Zach Lowe spoke on his podcast about the Golden State Warriors’ current predicament with Jonathan Kuminga.
He believes that Kuminga’s relationship with the Warriors has grown very toxic, and outside of trading him, there isn’t much they can do to get out of this problem.
“If there’s any hope of the Warriors salvaging not only the end of the Curry era, but salvaging the crumbs of what was supposed to be the two timelines plan, it lies in Kuminga popping and that just doesn’t seem likely.
“That bridge is on fire, if not burned out completely, [or] Kuminga turning into trade assets that really boost the present and or future of the team. T
“The Kings are involved. The Suns are involved. The Warriors don’t like those assets. The Warriors shouldn’t really love those assets.
“They’re not changing the Warriors’ lives, whatever they are. And the sad part is, it might already be too far gone.
Jonathan Kuminga could create a nightmare scenario next season
Lowe added that Jonathan Kuminga staying on the Warriors, especially by taking his $7.9 million player option, which includes a no-trade clause.
“Kuminga just hasn’t had a steady enough role with the Warriors, his trade value just isn’t maybe as high as it needs to be for the Warriors to get what they need to get for him.
“And I still think the qualifying offer is a nightmare option for both. It might be more of a nightmare option for the Warriors even than it is for Kuminga.
“Because they just cannot afford to have him for a year at $7 million or whatever it is, and just have him walk.”
The Warriors created this situation for themselves. And the fact that they’re playing hardball in a situation like this is only making things that much harder for them.
Hopefully, the two sides can come to a quick resolution. The longer this saga drags out, the worse both sides look.
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