Jonathan Kuminga’s $45 Million Dilemma: The Contract That Could End the Golden State Warriors Standoff | NBA News
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga finds himself at a career crossroads this offseason. With free agency stalling and sign-and-trade talks fizzling out, a two-year, $45 million deal with the Warriors may be the clearest path to resolve the ongoing standoff. But is it the right move for both sides?
Free Agency Market Collapse: No Leverage Outside Golden State
Jonathan Kuminga entered the offseason hoping for a lucrative new contract or a fresh start elsewhere. Unfortunately, reality hasn’t matched expectations. • Only two teams, the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns, engaged in sign-and-trade discussions. • Those talks never advanced to a serious stage, according to ClutchPoints sources. • The Brooklyn Nets remain the only team with cap space, but there’s no indication of interest.The Golden State Warriors initially anticipated a stronger trade market. When that didn’t materialize, they cut off all sign-and-trade talks, prioritizing control of Jonathan Kuminga’s full cap number for a potential in-season deal.
What’s on the Table? Breaking Down Jonathan Kuminga’s Contract Options
As Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints explains, the Warriors have made a clear offer: “Kuminga’s offer from the Golden State Warriors fell in the $20 million to $23 million range… a two-year, $45 million deal containing a team option in Year 2 and Kuminga needing to waive the implied no-trade clause.”
Golden State Warriors’ Current Offer Structure
Jonathan Kuminga and Stephen Curry (Image via Noah Graham/ Getty Images)
| Season | Salary | Notes |
| 2025-26 | $21.7 million | Fully guaranteed |
| 2026-27 | $23.3 million | Partially guaranteed at $11.65 million |
| Clause | No-trade clause waived | Enables flexibility for mid-season trade |
This “1+1” contract offers $33.35 million in guaranteed money, with the possibility of a trade before February’s deadline.
Comparisons from Around the League
| Team | Reported Offer | AAV |
| Sacramento Kings | 3 years, $63 million | $21 million |
| Phoenix Suns | 4 years, $90 million | $22.5 million |
| Warriors | 2 years, $45 million (team option) | $22.5 million (Year 2 partial guarantee) |
While the Suns’ and Kings’ offers are tempting, both fell through due to stalled talks or lack of leverage from Kuminga’s side.
Why Jonathan Kuminga Should Consider the Golden State Warriors’ Deal
Despite a rocky relationship with the franchise, this short-term proposal is Jonathan Kuminga’s best shot at securing meaningful guaranteed money and maintaining career momentum.
Key Benefits for Kuminga
• Financial Security: $33 million guaranteed vs. $7.9 million qualifying offer. • Trade Flexibility: The waived no-trade clause clears a path for a mid-season exit. • Future Leverage: He could hit free agency in 2026, allowing a new team to sign him long-term. • Minimized Risk: Avoids betting on a qualifying offer that may not lead to a better deal next year.While Kuminga’s camp has been pushing back, largely due to the team option in Year 2, it’s a strategic way for him to prove his value and re-enter the market as a more polished player.
Why the Deal Works for the Golden State Warriors
From the Golden State Warriors’ perspective, this offer is a win in both the short and long term.
Strategic Advantages for the Warriors
• Cap Flexibility: A short-term deal preserves room for future maneuvering. • Trade Value: Kuminga remains a movable asset if his value increases during the season. • Retention Without Commitment: The team option protects Golden State if things go south. • Locker Room Stability: Avoids the toxicity of a disgruntled player on a qualifying offer.Had Jonathan Kuminga accepted his $7.9 million qualifying offer, he would receive a full no-trade clause – a scenario Golden State clearly wants to avoid. Instead, the current proposal gives both parties a cleaner, more professional resolution.Kuminga, still only 22, has yet to establish himself as a star but has flashed potential in a limited role. Betting on himself within Golden State’s system – even temporarily – could be the right career move.Unless the Golden State Warriors adjust their offer to guarantee the full second year (which seems unlikely), this two-year, $45 million deal with a partial guarantee and a clear trade path remains the most practical outcome for both sides.Also read: Stephen Curry’s 3-Word Message to Jimmy Butler Signals Big Things for the Golden State WarriorsAnd for Jonathan Kuminga, walking away from it could mean risking his future on a very uncertain market.
