By Valentina Martinez
Copyright newsweek
The Golden State Warriors and restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga have been at odds about a new contract for the 2025-26 season.More news: Lakers Urged to Trade for $16.3 Million Forward to Pair With Luka DoncicThe 22-year-old at this point is expected to return to the team on a one-year, $7.9 million qualifying offer, which would allow him to enter free agency as an unrestricted free agent following the 2025-26 season.Another option for Kuminga is to sign the two-year, $45 million offer on the table from the Warriors. The contract includes a team option for Year 2, which is why it’s unlikely Kuminga agrees to the deal.More news: Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga Receives Harsh Message Amid Free Agency SagaNBA insider Shams Charania provided an in-depth look into what the negotiations between the Warriors and Kuminga have looked like — highlighting a telling moment between the forward and team owner Joe Lacob after the owner asked Kuminga, “‘Do you want to be here?'””But everything within this four-year, multicharacter tug of war is layered. The team-friendly structure was designed and pitched to Kuminga as a contract more easily moved when eligible in January,” Charania writes. “They could keep and bury him on the bench or trade him to an undesirable situation. He has fierce belief in his talents and is searching for a path to somewhere he believes will grant him an opportunity to flourish.”So Kuminga turned the question back on Lacob and the Warriors.”‘Do you even want me here?'”That question is at the heart of the issue with Kuminga uncertain about his future with the franchise as he enters his fifth year in the NBA. The Warriors have not established a set role for Kuminga, and it’s evident that has caused a strain in the relationship between the forward and the team.It’s been reported that veterans on the Warriors are wondering whether Kuminga will be committed to the team if he returns on the qualifying offer. Likewise, the forward does not want to be used as some sort of scapegoat for the Warriors.Golden State’s reluctancy to meet in the middle with Kuminga has given people reason to speculate how much the team truly values the 22-year-old.However, Jacob flying to Miami to meet Kuminga and his camp in person does demonstrate the team hopes to move forward as the Warriors roster remains incomplete with the season quickly approaching.More news: 76ers Forward Sends Harsh Message to Philadelphia Amid Trade RumorsFor all the latest NBA news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
