Golden State’s representatives and Jonathan Kuminga have spoken but were not particularly close to signing an extension to his rookie deal, according to multiple reports. Kuminga, the No. 7 pick in 2021, believes he’s worth max or near-max money, and the Warriors aren’t willing to give him that today. Kuminga is betting on himself if he becomes the Warriors needed second shot creator alongside Stephen Curry the money will be there next summer.
The Warriors are willing to pay it if Kuminga consistently elevates his game to that level, according to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer on video (hat tip Hoops Rumors and A true GM).
“The Warriors will be happy to pay Jonathan Kuminga top dollar if that sample size is extended through the entire duration of the 2024/25 season,” Fischer said.
Other teams are watching this game and are ready to jump in, Fischer adds — the Nets and the 76ers.
Brooklyn is the one team projected to have enough cap space next summer to go after a free agent, and while Kuminga would be limited Brooklyn could make an offer Golden State won’t want to match. It’s not that the Nets are targeting Kuminga, notes Fischer, but he adds that during the last rebuild in Brooklyn (before the Kevin Durant/Kyrie Irving era) GM Sean Marks did go after several restricted free agents with big offer sheets and that could happen . here again.
“There have already been rumblings that Brooklyn might want to throw a big offer at Jonathan Kuminga,” Fischer said.
The other team mentioned is the 76ers, who would have to make a trade, likely using KJ Martin’s contract with options.
“The Sixers have definitely indicated around the league and behind the scenes that they are willing to pay to add another piece,” Fischer said. “They are willing to spend their capital project.”
The most likely outcome is that Kuminga re-signs with Golden State next summer, but if he wants a near-max contract, he’ll have to play better than he has through the first two games of the season (two points on 1-of-5 shooting Friday evening in a blowout win over Utah). However, if things between Kuminga and the Warriors get tense, this is something to watch next summer.
