Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors remain at an impasse regarding his contract situation, prompting an ESPN insider to propose a potential resolution.
The standoff continues with neither side willing to compromise significantly. Jonathan Kuminga wants to leave and would happily join teams like Phoenix or Sacramento, both of which have shown interest.
However, the Warriors rejected offers from both franchises, seeking valuable assets like first-round picks or players of Bobby Portis’ caliber.
Golden State attempted another approach by offering Kuminga a two-year, $45 million contract. This time the young forward rejected their proposal, wanting more money and preferring no team option in the deal.
Ramona Shelburne proposes extra year with player control for Jonathan Kuminga
The ping-pong situation persists without clear resolution in sight, leading ESPN insider Ramona Shelburne to suggest a compromise solution.
Shelburne believes the Warriors should offer Kuminga an additional year with more player control over his future. This approach would provide both sides with elements they’re seeking.
“I think he’s going to be on the Warriors. And the only question is, how much are they paying him? I think there’s an easy solution here, which is that the Warriors give him an extra year. It’ll be like a two plus one, where he has a little more control, a little more guaranteed money,” she explained.
The proposal stems from viewing Kuminga as a long-term asset who could help transition the Warriors beyond their current aging core. A longer contract would provide security while addressing both parties’ concerns.
Golden State’s roster features aging stars like Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, making young talent increasingly valuable for future planning.
Shelburne believes the Warriors ownership think Kuminga is an untouchable building block
Shelburne revealed that Warriors ownership considers Kuminga essential to their long-term vision despite the current contract disputes.
“And I do think the Warriors see him as somebody who’s, if he wants to call it, a building block, I don’t know if I would call it that, but somebody they want around for a long time, because they have 35 year olds on their team,” she noted.
Owner Joe Lacob’s personal attachment to Kuminga has prevented previous trade discussions according to Shelburne’s reporting. On the other hand, Kuminga also needs to prove if he is worth it.
“I know the owner, Joe Lacob has told him this. He loves Jonathan Kuminga. He is the reason that they’ve never included him in trades, because they see the potential in him,” she added.
“The question is not whether he’s going to be back, but what kind of attitude is he going to have.”
This solution makes sense if Steve Kerr plans to give Kuminga a significant role in the rotation. However, it could create financial constraints preventing other roster improvements if the playing time doesn’t materialize.
The proposal could also serve as strategic positioning, allowing the Warriors to secure Kuminga on a longer deal before exploring trade opportunities with better leverage. The extended contract would potentially increase his trade value while providing roster flexibility.
