A worrying update has emerged in the ongoing contract saga between Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors.
Jonathan Kuminga’s contract talks have occupied the entire offseason for the Golden State Warriors. Kuminga rejected the team’s two-year $45 million contract, said the Warriors stunted his growth, and he is looking for a way out of Golden State.
Meanwhile, the Warriors remain the only NBA team that has not signed or re-signed a player this summer. They are waiting for a resolution with Kuminga before officially signing players like Al Horford.
But this update suggests that the Warriors aren’t close to finding a middle ground with their young talent.
Jonathan Kuminga hasn’t spoken to the Golden State Warriors in weeks
Kuminga and the Warriors are no closer to a deal, and the two parties haven’t spoken in weeks.
NBA reporter Danny Emerman wrote in the San Francisco Standard, “The Warriors and Kuminga’s camp haven’t had contact for a couple of weeks, per a source with knowledge of the situation, as he remains at a standstill.
“There’s a distinct possibility that negotiations — or lack thereof — could continue through August.”
It’s a stalemate with no obvious resolution on the horizon. Reports indicated that the Warriors were considering trading Kuminga for Josh Giddey, but it has since been revealed that this was a negotiating tactic by Giddey’s team as he seeks an extension from the Chicago Bulls.
Kuminga could take a $7.9 million qualifying offer with the Warriors and leave next season, but there is a team that is still hopeful that they can trade for Kuminga this year.
Sacramento Kings still hopeful of Jonathan Kuminga trade
The Sacramento Kings, who offered to trade Malik Monk for Kuminga, still believe they can get a deal done. Allen Stiles reported that they think the Warriors will trade Kuminga out of fear of losing him for nothing in free agency.
The Kings have shown interest in Kuminga throughout the entire saga. They have had talks about acquiring him in free agency, but they’re keen to get a deal done sooner than that.
The sticking point is the Warriors’ unwillingness to part with Moses Moody and Buddy Hield in a trade. They’ll need to in order to make the salaries match, but Head Coach Steve Kerr values Moody in particular.
Steph Curry recently stated that his only goal is to secure his fifth NBA championship. To do so, the Warriors will need to keep hold of Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. If they want to make a trade for Kuminga work, therefore, they’ll have to show some flexibility with their role players.
There seems to be a lack of flexibility on both ends of the deal. It’s going to be a case of who blinks first. Will the Warriors buckle and trade Kuminga out of fear of losing him for free? Or will Kuminga be forced into the qualifying offer, and bet on himself for next season?