The Golden State Warriors’ contract saga with Jonathan Kuminga has derailed their offseason, and their stars’ true feelings about it have been revealed.
Jonathan Kuminga has dominated the Golden State Warriors’ offseason, as his ongoing contract discussions have prevented them from making any free agent signings. Kuminga and the Warriors’ relationship soured due to the talks, and a resolution doesn’t seem to be near.
Winning a fifth NBA championship with legend Stephen Curry is the Warriors’ only aim for the upcoming season, and these contract negotiations have thrown a wrench in those ambitions. They are the only NBA team to have not signed or re-signed a player this offseason.
The start of the 2025-26 NBA season is rapidly approaching, meaning a resolution needs to be made quickly between the Warriors and Kuminga. NBA insiders have revealed Curry’s feelings about the ongoing negotiations.
Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler are ‘not agitating’ about Jonathan Kuminga’s contract
While the Warriors are yet to officially make signings this offseason, they do have players waiting patiently in the wings. Al Horford is set to sign in Golden State, as is De’Anthony Melton. Gary Payton II is also set to re-sign with the Warriors.
Players understand that they cannot put pen to paper until Kuminga’s contract is agreed. The Warriors need to know whether Kuminga will sign a $7.9 million qualifying offer or accept their $75.2 million contract offer before signing any new players.
The Warriors’ star trio of Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green support the Warriors in this process, and they are not concerned by their team’s lack of activity.
NBA insiders Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of ESPN wrote, “The Warriors have planned to at least use their taxpayer midlevel — Al Horford is the target — and have had strong discussions with veterans De’Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II and Seth Curry, sources said.
“It’s why Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green are not agitating behind the scenes. They know the strategy, sources said, and have approved that anticipated result.”
Curry urged the Warriors to resolve the Kuminga contract discussions earlier in the offseason, stating that they need more players in order to contend for a championship. Reporting suggests he’s happy to wait, however, and understands that reinforcements are on the way.
Jonathan Kuminga asked a big question to Golden State Warriors owner
While Curry, Butler, and Green are happy to wait for the time being, Kuminga and the Warriors don’t appear any closer to a resolution. In a meeting with Kuminga earlier in the summer, Lacob questioned Kuminga by asking him, “Do you want to be here?”, according to Charania and Slater.
Kuminga did not think that was the pressing question. He was left to watch the action from the bench on the back end of last season, only seeing significant court time once Curry suffered an injury in the playoffs.
Head Coach Steve Kerr doesn’t want Kuminga on the team, according to reports. The Warriors were also reportedly unwilling to give Kuminga a no-trade clause in his new contract.
If he can be traded anywhere in the NBA on a moment’s notice, why would he sign a long-term deal? Especially when the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings have shown interest in Kuminga.
That prompted Kuminga to ask Lacob a question in return: “Do you even want me here?”
Until the Warriors and Kuminga can come to terms on whether they want to continue their partnership, they will not reach an agreement. Curry may be content for now, but as the clock ticks down to the start of the season, we will see how long his patience lasts.