Warriors exploring S&T for Kuminga

[xdrta+]

Kick the can down the road. Have a mutual option for the second season. Require that the options be exercised by some date just before the trade deadline.

That way, the options are just another part of the S&T discussion midseason.

Not sure that I understand what a "mutual option" means. If JK plays badly, doesn't play much, or gets hurt, then he can take the option for a second year, but if he plays great, the Dubs can take the option and either keep him or trade him? Seems like, in the first scenario, he's way overpaid and possibly untradeable, and in the second scenario, we're back to where we started, except that they can match salaries to do a trade mid-season, with him locked in for at least one more year for the Dubs or the other team. Am I reading this right?

Of course, if he plays great, then he'll consider himself underpaid again for 2026-27, and potentially hold out to renegotiate, correct? He clearly thinks he's worth more than league GM's do at this point. Don't see any reason why that would change if he plays well this season.

It would be a mutual option where either side can say no. Unless both say yes, no second year.

So if he’s playing bad, he can’t unilaterally opt in for year two, and if he’s playing great the team can’t opt in either.

Essentially in the same position as now, except with a half season of play, and relaxed BYC rules.

There's no such thing as a mutual option, there can only be one option in a contract. The only thing close is an option and a non-guaranteed salary. For instance, TJD's 4th year is a club option/non-guaranteed (option deadline 6/29/26), fully guaranteed 1/10/27.

[Twinkie defense]

IF we're talking 2/45, fully guaranteed, I don't think we'll have ANY trouble trading it once the restrictions fall off.

There is some chance the Warriors would have trouble trading him (see: Jordan Poole). And in that event it would be devastating for the Warriors because they wouldn't be able to get Steph Curry the help he needs to try to win another Championship.

There might be some parallels, but this is nothing like the Poole situation, IMO. In that case, they had to unload a multi-year bad contract. Here, we'd be talking about 18 months. Unless he's badly injured, or completely incapable for some other reason, $20-25M/year isn't a terrible contract by NBA standards.

The great Andre Iguodala was traded as an expiring 3-year, $48 mil contract and Warriors had to attach a first round pick.

Brooklyn Nets whole business model right now is getting draft picks in return for taking on contracts.

$20-$25 mil can take you from below the first apron to above the second apron.

[Twinkie defense]

He has no value to the Warriors at $7.9M.

He played 24.3 mpg for the Warriors last season, including prime round two playoff minutes. If the Warriors can't get $7.9 mil of value from him this season then basically he's on his way out of the League and will soon be playing for the Saigon Heat.

I assumed we were talking about trade value....he would be an expiring $7.9M contract with a NTC.

Some posters here think the Warriors are going to be contenders the next two seasons and JK is the only potential trade chip they currently have to improve the roster. If he takes the QO they lose that.

Trade value is just trying to find a guy who is a better fit, makes more contributions than the guy you have - ultimately it's about value, not just about trade value.

But even on the QO Warriors would still hold his Bird rights, and can get something in a sign and trade, like they did with KD and Klay. If instead they just didn't offer the QO, and let him walk, they would get zero value and zero return.

[Twinkie defense]

He played 24.3 mpg for the Warriors last season, including prime round two playoff minutes. If the Warriors can't get $7.9 mil of value from him this season then basically he's on his way out of the League and will soon be playing for the Saigon Heat.

I assumed we were talking about trade value....he would be an expiring $7.9M contract with a NTC.

Some posters here think the Warriors are going to be contenders the next two seasons and JK is the only potential trade chip they currently have to improve the roster. If he takes the QO they lose that.

Not only that. The QO removes JK bird right. So most teams trading for him probably can't even resign him unless they have the cap space.

There is the TPMLE. And Warriors could still sign and trade him to Sacto next summer.

[Twinkie defense]

Actually, the probably Spurs 2030 1st and Monk is better than Hield/JK. Monk can dribble better and not as much Jacko or Hyde every game. The only thing bad his Monk's contract.

So you get a bad contract with Monk, a first round pick at the end of the draft with guaranteed salary attached, and you lose Hield or Moody... no thanks! I'd rather let Kuminga play on the QO and you'd have to attach an asset to Monk to move him.

[watch1958]

Not sure that I understand what a "mutual option" means. If JK plays badly, doesn't play much, or gets hurt, then he can take the option for a second year, but if he plays great, the Dubs can take the option and either keep him or trade him? Seems like, in the first scenario, he's way overpaid and possibly untradeable, and in the second scenario, we're back to where we started, except that they can match salaries to do a trade mid-season, with him locked in for at least one more year for the Dubs or the other team. Am I reading this right?

Of course, if he plays great, then he'll consider himself underpaid again for 2026-27, and potentially hold out to renegotiate, correct? He clearly thinks he's worth more than league GM's do at this point. Don't see any reason why that would change if he plays well this season.

It would be a mutual option where either side can say no. Unless both say yes, no second year.

So if he’s playing bad, he can’t unilaterally opt in for year two, and if he’s playing great the team can’t opt in either.

Essentially in the same position as now, except with a half season of play, and relaxed BYC rules.

There's no such thing as a mutual option, there can only be one option in a contract. The only thing close is an option and a non-guaranteed salary. For instance, TJD's 4th year is a club option/non-guaranteed (option deadline 6/29/26), fully guaranteed 1/10/27.

Thanks, you are right.

[statsman]

Actually, the probably Spurs 2030 1st and Monk is better than Hield/JK. Monk can dribble better and not as much Jacko or Hyde every game. The only thing bad his Monk's contract.

So you get a bad contract with Monk, a first round pick at the end of the draft with guaranteed salary attached, and you lose Hield or Moody... no thanks! I'd rather let Kuminga play on the QO and you'd have to attach an asset to Monk to move him.

The Kings have been trying, unsuccessfully, to trade Monk. He's a mediocre starter or an overpaid 6th/7th man. That takes at least an unprotected first just to move him, unless the Kings are taking back similarly mediocre contract(s).

Then there's the cost to S&T Kuminga to them, and as you said the cost to force the Warriors move Hield or Moody to another team for little to no returning salary.

[xdrta+]

One scenario that could happen is if a team wanted to give him a contract he would play for, but they didn't have enough cap space next offseason is to seek a S&T deal with the Warriors. This is what was done when Klay was traded to the Mavs. Kuminga's Bird rights would transfer in a S&T, and the Warriors wouldn't have to deal with BYC issues.

Sure they would. If he takes the 8MM QO, the same BYC criteria would apply to JK in an S&T next offseason that applies now.

[thunderdunk]

There is some chance the Warriors would have trouble trading him (see: Jordan Poole). And in that event it would be devastating for the Warriors because they wouldn't be able to get Steph Curry the help he needs to try to win another Championship.

There might be some parallels, but this is nothing like the Poole situation, IMO. In that case, they had to unload a multi-year bad contract. Here, we'd be talking about 18 months. Unless he's badly injured, or completely incapable for some other reason, $20-25M/year isn't a terrible contract by NBA standards.

The great Andre Iguodala was traded as an expiring 3-year, $48 mil contract and Warriors had to attach a first round pick.

Brooklyn Nets whole business model right now is getting draft picks in return for taking on contracts.

$20-$25 mil can take you from below the first apron to above the second apron.

Yes, it can do that, but if the Dubs want to get an impact player in return for JK, they're going to be paying that kind of money anyway, in all likelihood, unless someone trades a useful rookie scale player and has room to take on the additional money (how likely is that?). And Andre was on the last year of a long career with a contract that was untradeable otherwise.

[statsman]

One scenario that could happen is if a team wanted to give him a contract he would play for, but they didn't have enough cap space next offseason is to seek a S&T deal with the Warriors. This is what was done when Klay was traded to the Mavs. Kuminga's Bird rights would transfer in a S&T, and the Warriors wouldn't have to deal with BYC issues.

Sure they would. If he takes the 8MM QO, the same BYC criteria would apply to JK in an S&T next offseason that applies now.

You're right. I had forgotten the BYC issues could occur with any free agent, not just restricted free agents.

That said, Kuminga could be SOL if next offseason's free agent market exceeds the available teams with cap space. This might be especially true if all four of the primary RFAs from this offseason choose to elect the QO. I still think a deal gets done between Giddey and the Bulls.

[statsman]

That said, Kuminga could be SOL if next offseason's free agent market exceeds the available teams with cap space. This might be especially true if all four of the primary RFAs from this offseason choose to elect the QO. I still think a deal gets done between Giddey and the Bulls.

While I think my statement was a no-brainer, they did sign today. Giddey for 4/100. Not sure if the 4th season is an option season.

[watch1958]

That said, Kuminga could be SOL if next offseason's free agent market exceeds the available teams with cap space. This might be especially true if all four of the primary RFAs from this offseason choose to elect the QO. I still think a deal gets done between Giddey and the Bulls.

While I think my statement was a no-brainer, they did sign today. Giddey for 4/100. Not sure if the 4th season is an option season.

I think it’s no option.

[whatisacenter]

That said, Kuminga could be SOL if next offseason's free agent market exceeds the available teams with cap space. This might be especially true if all four of the primary RFAs from this offseason choose to elect the QO. I still think a deal gets done between Giddey and the Bulls.

While I think my statement was a no-brainer, they did sign today. Giddey for 4/100. Not sure if the 4th season is an option season.

I think it’s no option.

Well, would you look at that, a reasonable deal for both sides!

[Old_Blue]

Poof. Just like that Kuminga's argument for $30+ million per season goes up in smoke. He's now looking at a ceiling of either 4 years / $90 million or 3 years / $75 million.

[whatisacenter]

Poof. Just like that Kuminga's argument for $30+ million per season goes up in smoke. He's now looking at a ceiling of either 4 years / $90 million or 3 years / $75 million.

JK hasn’t asked for 30 million since last off-season…

[Old_Blue]

Poof. Just like that Kuminga's argument for $30+ million per season goes up in smoke. He's now looking at a ceiling of either 4 years / $90 million or 3 years / $75 million.

JK hasn’t asked for 30 million since last off-season…

And I haven't thought I had a shot with a Victoria's Secret model since 30 years ago. The point is that we were both delusional at the time. Settle for the partner that makes sense JK.

[TB]

Based on that Giddey deal, I’d say Kuminga would be in the 4/80 range if we are going on production + potential. Could go all the way up to 4/88 while still leaving room for TPMLE and vet minimums.

It’s a shame the relationships and egos have been damaged enough that a solid deal like that for everyone probably has zero chance of happening. And i’m not even a big fan of Kuminga’s game, but him at 20m for 4 years probably ends up being a good contract for someone getting like 25 ppg on a post Steph tanking team… which is fine and tradeable. And unless a Keon Ellis or Kispert type is coming back in a trade this year, Kuminga on the team would be more useful than a sell-low trade or an angry contract-hunting JK on QO.

[cpower]

Based on that Giddey deal, I’d say Kuminga would be in the 4/80 range if we are going on production + potential. Could go all the way up to 4/88 while still leaving room for TPMLE and vet minimums.

It’s a shame the relationships and egos have been damaged enough that a solid deal like that for everyone probably has zero chance of happening. And i’m not even a big fan of Kuminga’s game, but him at 20m for 4 years probably ends up being a good contract for someone getting like 25 ppg on a post Steph tanking team… which is fine and tradeable. And unless a Keon Ellis or Kispert type is coming back in a trade this year, Kuminga on the team would be more useful than a sell-low trade or an angry contract-hunting JK on QO.

No way. Kuminga is 4 year 30m range

[statsman]

Poof. Just like that Kuminga's argument for $30+ million per season goes up in smoke. He's now looking at a ceiling of either 4 years / $90 million or 3 years / $75 million.

JK hasn’t asked for 30 million since last off-season…

So, Brett Siegel was wrong in his reporting back in June 2025?

[whatisacenter]

Poof. Just like that Kuminga's argument for $30+ million per season goes up in smoke. He's now looking at a ceiling of either 4 years / $90 million or 3 years / $75 million.

JK hasn’t asked for 30 million since last off-season…

So, Brett Siegel was wrong in his reporting back in June 2025?

Isn’t Brett Siegel just a regurgitator?

I’m not in front of my computer to search for the info but Anthony Slater cleaned up the reporting from last off-season and stated that it was JK’s camp that brought the $30 million deal to the table last summer with JJ in Atlanta as a comp.

I can’t remember where I saw the report but this off-season JK‘s camp brought a smaller contract to the table that would keep the Warriors in position to add players this summer. It was in the low 20s.

JK at 22-25m a year seems about right to me.