Discussions around Golden State Warriors‘ restricted free agent wing Jonathan Kuminga have cooled off, with a league insider reporting “no significant traction” over the weekend.
Conversations have remained stagnant despite reported interest from multiple teams, including the Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards, and Miami Heat. No deal appears close, and the Warriors are showing no urgency to move off their asking price.
“No significant traction on the Jonathan Kuminga front over the weekend, per sources,” Anthony Slater of The Athletic wrote on X. “Restricted free agency around the NBA remains ice cold. Conversations and little action. Kings have been strongest pursuer of [the] Warriors’ wing, but nothing has come close.”
No significant traction on the Jonathan Kuminga front over the weekend, per sources. Restricted free agency around the NBA remains ice cold. Conversations and little action. Kings have been strongest pursuer of Warriors’ wing, but nothing has come close.
Slater previously reported that the Warriors are “searching for a promising young player plus a first-round pick in return for Kuminga, should they ultimately choose to part with him in a sign-and-trade scenario.”
Kuminga — the No. 7 overall pick in 2021 — is a restricted free agent with a qualifying offer of approximately $7.9 million, which grants the Warriors matching rights. Kuminga is reportedly seeking a new deal worth between $25 million and $30 million per year.
Jonathan Kuminga Talks Could Heat Up at Summer League
If talks continue to stall, the market for Kuminga could develop at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, which kicks off next week. It will allow Kuminga and his representatives to meet face-to-face with interested teams and the Warriors. And a return to Golden State is not off the table, per Slater.
“An eventual compromise and return to the Warriors also remains very much on the table, league sources said, considering the market dynamics at play,” Slater said. “The two sides have talked about a sit-down in Las Vegas between Kuminga, Turner, general manager Mike Dunleavy and head coach Steve Kerr to discuss a possible path forward, if his situation remains unresolved in a week.”
If he does return to the Warriors, it would be another year of uncertainty for Kuminga. Head coach Steve Kerr had a hard time reintegrating Kuminga following the team’s trade for Jimmy Butler. However, Butler made it clear he sees no issue sharing the floor with Kuminga, expressing confidence in their potential pairing.
“I can play with anybody. He can play with anybody,” Butler said during the postseason. “Me and JK could thrive; can and will thrive together on the basketball floor.”
Jonathan Kuminga Admits ‘Ups and Downs’ With Golden State
Kuminga appeared in 46 games for the Warriors last season, including 10 starts, with an ankle injury sidelined him for a significant stretch. He averaged 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in 24.3 minutes per game, but struggled with efficiency, shooting a career-low 45.4% from the field and 30.5% from beyond the arc.
Kuminga saw limited action for most of the postseason and was largely out of the rotation until an injury to Curry created an opening. Seizing the opportunity, the 22-year-old delivered, averaging 20.8 points on 54.3% shooting in the series against the Timberwolves.
Kuminga admitted in his exit interview that he is uncertain about his future.
“I don’t know what the future is gonna be,” Kuminga said. “That’s something that any player would love to hear, going into a different year. I’m looking forward to that. I know it’s going to happen.
“There was some ups and downs. That’s how life goes. But I had fun. I had a great time. I enjoy playing here. Yeah, there was some ups and downs.”
