Every NBA team is looking to improve their rosters for the upcoming season. At the same time, there are free agents in need begging to be signed, or players with uncertain futures on their roster who are waiting for attractive contract offers, such as Jonathan Kuminga of the Warriors.
Kuminga recently traveled to his home country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and returned to Miami (his current off-season training camp) with the same opinion about the two-year, $45 million offer from the Golden State Warriors. So the San Francisco forward is still waiting for someone to better his offer.
Warriors seek trade option, Kuminga refuses
The Warriors initially presented the deal to Kuminga’s representatives as a walk-away deal that could meet both parties’ long-term expectations when he becomes eligible to be traded again in January, according to sources. Because of this, Golden State wants a team option in the second season and has asked Kuminga to waive his no-trade clause.
But that’s also why Kuminga has continued to refuse to do so. He doesn’t want such a team-friendly deal, and the idea of signing to be more easily traded midseason doesn’t appeal to him. Kuminga sought a contract this summer that would commit him to being a future cornerstone of any team.
Jonathan Kuminga had a bumpy 2024-25 season
Kuminga had a less-than-stellar 2024-25 season, with a 13-game stretch in which he averaged 21.1 points and other low points, including a 31-game absence due to injury and several playoff losses. According to reports, it appears Golden State wants Kuminga back as a trade target.
In short, Kuminga accepting Golden State’s qualifying offer would be the worst-case scenario for the Warriors’ front office. First, Kuminga would sign a one-year, $7.9 million contract and would have the ability to veto any trade during the season.
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