Golden State Warriors’ 37-year-old superstar Stephen Curry addressed the ongoing contract impasse with Jonathan Kuminga on Monday.
Curry said he respects the process but also set his expectations clear once the 22-year-old restricted free agent resolves his negotiations.
“Negotiations are hard,” Curry told reporters during media day. “We all know that the idea of everybody’s situation is a little different. Everybody comes up with whatever narrative they want to. It’s how business kind of goes. Some things are pretty straightforward. Some things aren’t. This is definitely in the hard conversation category, but when he comes and he’s here, he should be a professional and do exactly what he expects to do, and take advantage of his opportunities to help us win everybody who’s in the locker room. That’s what you’re committed to doing. So I don’t have any concerns that he’ll approach it that way, and that’s what we expect.”
Kuminga skipped the Warriors‘ media day as his contract standoff continues.
Contract Standoff Continues
According to ESPN insiders Shams Charania and Anthony Slater, the Warriors have three outstanding offers on the table for Kuminga. The two most lucrative deals — two years for $45 million and three years for $75.2 million — include team options on the final season. The only offer without a team option is a three-year, $54 million deal.
Kuminga has resisted deals containing team options unless the compensation increases. According to his agent, Aaron Turner, if there is no player option, the forward is leaning toward accepting the $7.9 million qualifying offer, which would make him an unrestricted free agent after the season.
“If he’s treated fairly — and in our mind that’s flipping [the] team option to [a] player option — he’s back, and then we don’t have to talk about the [qualifying offer],” Turner told ESPN’s Hoop Collective podcast. “But the QO is real. It’s something that JK wants to take. It does have upside. You’re not getting traded. You’re going to have unrestricted free agency.”
That choice would also give him control over any midseason trade, due to the qualifying offer’s no-trade clause.
“That’s a scenario the Warriors have attempted to avoid with their standing offers to Kuminga, but team sources have said they remain firm in their unwillingness to include a player option in any deal and expect Kuminga to either choose one of their proposed deals or return on the qualifying offer by Wednesday night,” Charania and Slater reported.
Warriors Continue Roster Moves
While Kuminga’s decision looms, Golden State has secured verbal commitments from 39-year-old center Al Horford, guard De’Anthony Melton, and brought back Gary Payton II. Second-round pick Will Richard also signed a four-year rookie contract with the first two years guaranteed.
The team has officially announced all deals except those for Horford and Melton. Charania and Slater reported that Horford’s final contract is contingent on Kuminga’s resolution, meaning the presumed starting center cannot sign or practice until that happens. Horford is expected to receive the $5.2 million taxpayer midlevel exception or a portion of it, while Melton will likely receive the veteran minimum, similar to Payton.
ESPN’s front office insider Bobby Marks noted that the Warriors retain the flexibility to sign Kuminga to a contract in the $22 million range and still have enough room for a 15th player.
“The Warriors also have had talks with Seth Curry, but Kuminga’s contract structure will determine whether they are able to add a 15th player and remain below the second apron,” Charania and Slater reported.
Championship Window at Stake
The Kuminga standoff highlights the delicate balancing act facing the Warriors as they seek to maintain their championship window with an aging core of Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler.
“If the Warriors want to win now, and they want a player who’s happy and treated fairly, who’s a big part of this team moving forward, you give him the player option,” Turner said on ESPN’s Hoop Collective podcast. “You might lose a little trade value by giving that up. But if it’s about the here and now, you give him that. You don’t get a perfect deal, but you get a pretty good deal, and he feels respected. Then everyone can move on and focus on winning, helping Steph [Curry].”
As the Warriors prepare for training camp, all eyes remain on Kuminga, whose decision will determine not only his own future but also the configuration of one of the NBA’s championship-contending teams.
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