As the Golden State Warriors are in search of their fifth title since 2015, there has been one player taking up headlines for the franchise this summer. But while Jonathan Kuminga and his contract standstill have been the main story of the offseason, Kuminga’s agent just gave a major update that could cause him to sign a deal soon.
Speaking on The Hoop Collective podcast, Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, offered insight into how the wing player has felt through all of the negotiations. He also said Kuminga would want to take the player option, but would also settle for the qualifying offer.
“There’s a lot of upside,” Turner said. “He wants to pick where he wants to go. So the QO is real for sure.”
Golden State made other offers to Kuminga earlier in the summer, but neither could get on the same page regarding annual value and length. The Warriors recently offered the 22-year-old contracts worth $20-$30 million per year, but he has yet to sign a deal.
Kuminga’s Agent On The Situation
Turner’s comments offer a massive update to what has been one of the leading storylines in the NBA over the summer. Turner, for the first time publicly, laid out what his player wants and what he’s willing to take.
“If [the Warriors] want to win now, if you want a guy that’s happy and treated fairly who is a big part of this team, we believe, moving forward, you give him the player option,” Turner said. “You do lose a little of that trade value [giving that up]. But if it’s about the here and now, you give him that.”
Kuminga and his representation are hoping for Golden State to offer him the player option. Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of ESPN reported the team offered him each of the following deals: three-year $54 million, three-year $75 million with a team option, and two-year $45 million, the last of which Kuminga didn’t have interest in.
But while a deal like one of the contracts previously mentioned would put Kuminga at the annual salary he was hoping to earn, Turner also said he would be willing to take the $7.9 million qualifying offer to set himself up for free agency in 2026.
“If JK wants to take it, it does have upside, right?” Turner said. “We’ve talked about that. You’re not getting traded. You’re going to have unrestricted free agency (next summer)… There’ll be six teams with cap space for the clear-cut under-35 top wing on the market. So there’s a lot of upside.”
Kuminga taking the qualifying offer would be a big drop in salary next season. It would set him up as an unrestricted free agent next summer, with the potential of earning an even bigger deal then.
Warriors Aren’t The Only Team With Interest
Along with explaining where Kuminga’s thoughts are on the type of deal he wants, Turner also said Golden State isn’t the only franchise willing to keep the player long-term. As he confirmed and has been previously reported, the Sacramento Kings have shared interest in the wing scorer, as well as other title-hopefuls around the league.
“You know, Sacramento, he’s spent some time with them,” Turner added. “There’s been other teams, too, maybe planting seeds for [2026 or 2027]. But they’re saying, ‘Hey, we want you to be you. We don’t want you to change anything. We want to give you a huge opportunity to play.‘”
Golden State, with Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, might not be the best place for Kuminga to take another leap over the past few years. With the veterans hoping to win a title, the young player might not be offered the same level of offensive responsibilities as in another franchise.
I don’t think it’s about not wanting to be on the Warriors,” Turner said. “But, these other places are offering him opportunities to start games, finish games, know your role. ‘We don’t want you to change anything. Continue to develop and spread your wings.‘”
Butler and Green have reportedly reached out to Kuminga in hopes of helping him find an agreement with the Warriors, but nothing has changed yet. Kuminga wants whatever deal brings him the biggest payday, even if that means putting it off until next summer.
As things stand now, accepting the qualifying offer remains the most logical solution for both sides. But while it might tank his trade value, Golden State hasn’t shown interest in the ‘Jalen Brunson type deal’ for more than $30 million a year, Turner said Kuminga wants.
Jonathan Kuminga’s Agent Reveals Truth On Warriors Deal Holdup