Golden State Caps Offer in Latest Young Forward Negotiation
As the stalemate continues between Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga and the organization, no agreement seems likely to be reached anytime soon. According to Marc Stein, who has covered the league for over 25 years, the Warriors seem to have capped their best proposal at a two-year, $40 million deal. Meanwhile, NBA Insider Brett Siegel reports that Kuminga’s camp is seeking a contract that hovers around $30 million. Yet, there seems to be a bigger issue here than money.
Let’s quickly go beyond the numbers and talk about the basketball relationship. The inability of either party to move closer to an agreement and readjust their anchor shows a difference in value. The Warriors have attempted to shop around the 22-year-old, with the Kings as the most recent potential suitor to resolve this saga. The team has had discussions with multiple other organizations over the last few months, yet Kuminga remains a Warrior to this day. Why has such a historically great front office struggled so much to move a promising piece?
Unfortunately, there’s no real market for Kuminga, so naming the price has been difficult for both the Warriors and other teams. Last season, he appeared in just 47 games, marking a career low despite a mostly healthy season. He averaged 15 points in 24 minutes per game and provided a spark off the bench when his number was called. However, that happened less frequently than some fans anticipated. Once Jimmy Butler was traded to Golden State, Kuminga’s role shrank instantly.
Understandably, it seems as though the Warriors now look at the young star as a trade piece. Sometimes in basketball, draft picks don’t pan out according to the team’s vision. The Warriors have reached that conclusion. This was not a mistake, just a misfit.
From the player's perspective, like the recently departed Kevon Looney, Kuminga has not been pleased with his situation with the organization. This rift in the relationship has caused him to publicly express disappointment in the premise of a contract extension, and he has actively looked for a new home ever since. Kuminga no longer wants to be in Golden State, and he doesn’t appear to be included in coach Steve Kerr’s plans in this new Stephen Curry - Jimmy Butler - Draymond Green era. It’s no longer a matter of if, but a matter of when. This will be a story worth monitoring over the next few weeks, as we inch closer to the start of a fresh NBA season.
