The Golden State Warriors are once again making headlines for reasons that have little to do with basketball. As training camp looms, the team is still waiting for clarity on Jonathan Kuminga, whose contract situation has now spilled into the new season.
According to Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of ESPN, Kuminga did not travel to San Francisco and will not appear at the Warriors’ media day. Despite contact between general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Kuminga’s agent Aaron Turner, there is still “no momentum” toward a deal.
Warriors Still in a Stalemate
Golden State has kept three offers on the table. Two of them — a two-year, $45 million deal and a three-year, $75.2 million proposal — include team options on the final season. The only deal without a team option is a three-year, $54 million offer.
Kuminga and his camp have resisted those structures. ESPN has reported he is pushing for a player option as a sign of “goodwill” after what his side has described as years of fluctuating roles under Steve Kerr and the constant threat of being moved in trade talks.
The 22-year-old has until October 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET to decide whether to accept Golden State’s $7.9 million qualifying offer. That route would give him a one-year deal, an inherent no-trade clause, and unrestricted free agency in 2026 — but it would also mean walking away from millions guaranteed.
Roster Moves Tied to Kuminga Decision
The Warriors’ roster construction has been held up all summer while this drama plays out. On Sunday, Al Horford agreed to a multi-year deal, with Gary Payton II and De’Anthony Melton also committing. Second-round pick Will Richard signed as well.
Still, Horford’s final contract figures are contingent on the Kuminga resolution, meaning the veteran center can’t officially sign until the standoff ends. The Warriors currently have 13 committed players, with Kuminga slated to be the 14th. Whether that happens depends on the next few days.
What’s at Stake for Warriors
Kuminga is coming off a season defined by both promise and frustration. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists over 47 games, flashing moments of dominance before an ankle injury derailed his year. In the playoffs, he averaged 20.8 points in Golden State’s series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, showing why the front office has been reluctant to give up on him.
But the longer the impasse drags on, the more complicated it gets. If Kuminga accepts the qualifying offer, the Warriors lose long-term control and risk watching their 2021 lottery pick walk for nothing next summer. If he signs one of the team’s current offers, Golden State keeps trade flexibility but sacrifices the goodwill Kuminga’s camp has been asking for.
Either way, the clock is ticking. And for a Warriors team that has already tied much of its offseason to this decision, the next 48 hours could shape the rest of the year.