This offseason, the Golden State Warriors have been unable to add a single player via trade or free agency. They have been linked to Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II, but until the Jonathan Kuminga contract saga is over, the Warriors‘ hands are tied.
Kuminga is a restricted free agent, meaning the Warriors can match any offer he receives from another team, although he is yet to sign with them or anyone else.
According to recent reports, he is willing to take less as long as a player option, not a team option, is included in the contract.
With the regular season under a month away, his teammates are prepping for opening night, with or without him.
GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 19: Stephen Curry #30 congratulates Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors during their game against the Boston Celtics at Chase Center on December 19, 2023 in San Francisco, California.
Kuminga Skipped Golden State Warriors’ First Training
The Warriors are yet to start official team events. However, with title hopes mounting, Jimmy Butler is hosting his own camp, and Kuminga is apparently the only player not in attendance.
“Jimmy Butler is actually holding a team function, a team mini-camp in San Diego this week,” reported ESPN insider Shams Charania on September 24.
“This is the first full year of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler all together. One player that is not there, the only player on the potential Warriors roster that isn’t there, is a restricted free agent, Jonathan Kuminga. My understanding is he is not appearing at this team function, this camaraderie mini-camp in San Diego. This is still at a stalemate.”
Golden State has only nine players on the roster, so Butler’s camp isn’t even big enough for a full scrimmage. Kuminga’s holdout has slowed the Warriors‘ progress, although his teammates don’t seem frustrated with him.
Butler, Curry, and Green have all been supportive of Kuminga and want the Warriors to bring him back, although he has not been included in team activities.
GettyJonathon Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors.
Kuminga Plays Central Part to Warriors’ Title Chances
Last season, Kuminga averaged 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds and was, at times, the second-best player on the roster. However, an ankle injury and the addition of Butler pushed him into a diminished role.
Kuminga and his camp have made it known that they want a commitment from Golden State that he is a central part of the lineup moving forward, and the established stars seem to agree with him.
However, as the Warriors prepare for the eventual retirement of Curry, Green, and Butler, the franchise values flexibility over everything else, and giving Kuminga an option or a long-term contract is not their prerogative.
With the Houston Rockets suffering a blow with Fred VanVleet’s injury, the Western Conference is suddenly a little more open. Proactive teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and San Antonio Spurs–who all made moves earlier this summer–are poised to take advantage of that. With four weeks until opening night, the Warriors are still foundering with an incomplete roster.
Jonathan Kuminga Spurns Jimmy Butler During Warriors ‘Stalemate’