Jonathan Kuminga 'Strongly Considering' Signing $7.9M Qualifying Offer With Warriors

[RealGM Wiretap]

Jonathan Kuminga is "strongly considering" taking the $7.9 million qualifying offer with the Golden State Warriors that would end his restricted free agency and allow him to reenter the market during the 2026 offseason as an unrestricted free agent. Kuminga has until October 1st to make a decision.

Kuminga's preference has been to sign a longer term contract that both sides are amenable to, but there's been little movement in talks. The Warriors have been pushing a two-year, $45 million contract with a team option in Year 2 and also eliminates Kuminga's ability to reject any trade.

The Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings and Chicago Bulls are believed to have the most interest in Kuminga. 

Kuminga has been one of four key restricted free agents from the 2021 class this offseason. Cam Thomas signed the qualifying offer with the Brooklyn Nets, while Josh Giddey eventually signed a four-year, $100 million deal. Quentin Grimes also remains at a stalemate with the Philadelphia 76ers. 

Via Jake Fischer/The Stein Line

[TMac Culloch]

I understand stabbing yourself in the foot to spite others

[We Are Groot]

I understand stabbing yourself in the foot to spite others

Not disagreeing that the dude is probly feeling spiteful, but …

1) the Dubs offer is pretty trash. And that’s on top of all the jerking arnd he’s already put up with. That TO on the 2nd year really is a dick move on their part.

2) who wouldn’t be spiteful in his position?

If he pulls off the “bet on himself” play and is able to ink a more lucrative deal next offseason after signing his QO, it’s abt a net 3.1M hit he’d be taking this year (Dubs offer vs QO). And if he gets a contract with a ~NTMLE AAV next offseason and moving forward, he’d be recouping his losses from this season at a minimum, in his 1st year of a new deal (Dubs offer vs projected NTMLE). I’m sure the Dubs have done the math as their offer essentially makes it a zero sum game shld NTMLE offers come next offseason. Pretty savvy on their part, but again, not exactly showing Kuminga they value him.

The question ofc is how radioactive he’ll be in free agency during the next cycle. A lot of that will depend on how much of a ‘good soldier’ he’s gonna be this season. I’m inclined to put at least some of the blame on JK as GPII has been able to get some tick, and Payton strikes me as a smaller, older version of Kuminga at least in terms of player archetype. I don’t wanna discount Kerr’s aversion either tho, but I think it’s somewhat fair in that he needs/wants Kuminga to be a ‘dirty work’ guy (sumn that imho should come pretty easily to JK considering his gifts) but the kid seems to want to leapfrog his way into a starring role - which agn tbf, seems like sumn he is actually capable of under the right conditions.

Assuming he still shows promise after this season (how cld he not?) I cld see a team willing to sign him to a ‘prove it’ type deal - short term (2-3 years) for arnd TPMLE money.

But dude wld do well to realize petulance, unprofessionalism, etc really can kill careers. It’s a **** situation he’s in, no doubt. But do the time & keep the focus on next offseason and beyond. Befriend the vets and get some’a that corporate knowledge abt the league & jus be professional with Kerr even if it’s thru gritted teeth

[dk1115]

Jonathan my friend, lock up the money now. You can take a small loss on life-changing money. Hedge on your first contract, gamble on your next one.

[wichsens]

"I’m sure the Dubs have done the math as their offer essentially makes it a zero sum game shld NTMLE offers come next offseason. "

"Assuming he still shows promise after this season (how cld he not?) "

"But dude wld do well to realize petulance, unprofessionalism, etc really can kill careers."

Wld? Shld? Cld?
Your shorthand game is breathtaking.

[ecuhus1981]

He shook

[Sports_Prophet]

I understand stabbing yourself in the foot to spite others

Not disagreeing that the dude is probly feeling spiteful, but …

1) the Dubs offer is pretty trash. And that’s on top of all the jerking arnd he’s already put up with. That TO on the 2nd year really is a dick move on their part.

2) who wouldn’t be spiteful in his position?

If he pulls off the “bet on himself” play and is able to ink a more lucrative deal next offseason after signing his QO, it’s abt a net 3.1M hit he’d be taking this year (Dubs offer vs QO). And if he gets a contract with a ~NTMLE AAV next offseason and moving forward, he’d be recouping his losses from this season at a minimum, in his 1st year of a new deal (Dubs offer vs projected NTMLE). I’m sure the Dubs have done the math as their offer essentially makes it a zero sum game shld NTMLE offers come next offseason. Pretty savvy on their part, but again, not exactly showing Kuminga they value him.

The question ofc is how radioactive he’ll be in free agency during the next cycle. A lot of that will depend on how much of a ‘good soldier’ he’s gonna be this season. I’m inclined to put at least some of the blame on JK as GPII has been able to get some tick, and Payton strikes me as a smaller, older version of Kuminga at least in terms of player archetype. I don’t wanna discount Kerr’s aversion either tho, but I think it’s somewhat fair in that he needs/wants Kuminga to be a ‘dirty work’ guy (sumn that imho should come pretty easily to JK considering his gifts) but the kid seems to want to leapfrog his way into a starring role - which agn tbf, seems like sumn he is actually capable of under the right conditions.

Assuming he still shows promise after this season (how cld he not?) I cld see a team willing to sign him to a ‘prove it’ type deal - short term (2-3 years) for arnd TPMLE money.

But dude wld do well to realize petulance, unprofessionalism, etc really can kill careers. It’s a **** situation he’s in, no doubt. But do the time & keep the focus on next offseason and beyond. Befriend the vets and get some’a that corporate knowledge abt the league & jus be professional with Kerr even if it’s thru gritted teeth

. A lot of what you said makes absolutely no sense! Kuminga should sign the QO and test the open market! G State screwed him over by not playing him and that will backfire on them. Why would he want to play for them and Kerr! He should try to move on because G State is finished as a contender!

[WiggOuts]

Its crazy how little they care about keeping this guy, it seems like everyone is operating in bad faith. These issues are not new and its looking more like they will eventually lose him for nothing, they should have traded him. The 2 highest lotto picks GS had during thier time trying to tank and win will end up leaving their team with possibly no return, this is terrible management and complete negligence. This isn't just bad luck

[YourGM99]

Its crazy how little they care about keeping this guy, it seems like everyone is operating in bad faith. These issues are not new and its looking more like they will eventually lose him for nothing, they should have traded him. The 2 highest lotto picks GS had during thier time trying to tank and win will end up leaving their team with possibly no return, this is terrible management and complete negligence. This isn't just bad luck

steve kerr doesn't know how to develop talent and it's hard for a lot of players to be successful playing with Steph Curry.