.jpg)
5 hours ago
1
The Warriors have nearly $140 million tied up in veterans Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green next season. As they look to balance out their roster, will Jonathan Kuminga be a part of it?
The 22-year-old forward has been the subject of speculation since failing to agree to a long-term contract extension ahead of last year's deadline for 2021 first-round picks, and his future with Golden State is still up in the air as the start of free agency looms.
On Saturday, Kuminga got a bit more clarity about his path forward in free agency.
Here are the latest details on Kuminga's contract situation with the Warriors.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Jonathan Kuminga contract update
The Warriors extended a $7.9 million qualifying offer to Kuminga two days before the start of free agency, ensuring the forward will become a restricted free agent on Monday.
Kuminga does have the option to accept the qualifying offer and play the 2025-26 season for $7.9 million, but there is no expectation he would consider that. Instead, he told The Athletic's Anthony Slater on Wednesday that he's looking for the best situation "wherever I'm going to be at."
"I feel like I’m at the point where that has to be my priority, to just be one of the guys a team relies on," Kuminga said. "Aiming to be an All-Star. Multiple times. Aiming to be great."
Kuminga has expressed frustration with his inconsistent role with the Warriors in the past, and whether Steve Kerr is willing to give him the featured role he's looking for is unclear. Even in losses, Kuminga shined when forced into a more prominent role in the playoffs vs. Minnesota with Stephen Curry out, averaging 24.3 points per game on 55.4 percent shooting in the four games without Curry.
Still, the Warriors will have the right to match any offer sheet Kuminga signs in free agency unless they rescind the qualifying offer.
MORE: How NBA free agency works
What is a qualifying offer in the NBA?
A qualifying offer is a one-year offer extended to players eligible for restricted free agency. The value of the qualifying offer depends on a player's service time, previous salary, and status as a starter.
Players eligible for restricted free agency only become restricted free agents if their team extends a qualifying offer. If the Warriors had declined to extend a qualifying offer to Kuminga, he would have become an unrestricted free agent. The qualifying offer allows the Warriors to match any offer sheet Kuminga signs since he will be a restricted free agent.
For many players, the qualifying offer is simply a formality that doesn't get accepted. Often, players who would consider accepting the qualifying offer don't get one extended to them and instead become unrestricted free agents.
Qualifying offers can also be rescinded. The Warriors rescinded Harrison Barnes' qualifying offer and made him an unrestricted free agent in 2016 because they agreed to a deal with Kevin Durant and no longer planned on bringing Barnes back. If Golden State determined there was no chance of Kuminga returning to the team, his qualifying offer could theoretically be rescinded, making him an unrestricted free agent.
English (US)