Jonathan Kuminga gets $7.9 million contract update amid uncertain Warriors future

It would be virtually impossible for Jonathan Kuminga to enjoy a stress-free offseason.

With the 22-year-old forward seeing a reduced role with the Golden State Warriors changing after the organization acquired Jimmy Butler in February, there’s no telling what the future holds for the former lottery pick. 

On Monday, Kuminga received a pivotal contract update three weeks before the start of free agency.

"The Warriors are expected to tender him a $7.9 million one-year qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent,” ESPN’s Bobby Marks said. "With Brooklyn as the only team to offer a starting salary of $20 million or more (Golden State would have the right to match), the best option could be exploring a sign-and-trade."

“There are two challenges in a sign-and-trade besides Kuminga having to sign at least a three-year contract with the first season guaranteed.”

“First, only 50% of Kuminga's outgoing salary is used in a trade, not the full amount. (For example, if the salary in the first year is $30 million, $15 million counts as outgoing salary and $30 million is incoming for the acquiring team.)”

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Kuminga was trending in the right direction early in the season. After notching 14.4 points per game alongside Stephen Curry in November, Kuminga joined the 20+ points per contest club in December. 

The NBA champion contributed 21.0 points nightly during the third month of the season, giving optimistic Warriors fans the illusion that he had finally turned the corner. 

However, Kuminga’s tenure with the Dubs took a devastating turn after missing time with an ankle sprain and struggling to adjust with Butler in the fold. 

Kuminga responded well after getting benched in April, shining in the organization’s second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Still, Steve Kerr recently stated that Kuminga isn’t the best win-now fit with the new-look Warriors, casting doubt on his status with the franchise.

Golden State still has ample time to decide what it wants to do with the talented role player in free agency.

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