October 1, 12:54 pm: Kuminga’s two-year contract has a base value of $46.8MM, Hoops Rumors has learned. His cap hit is $22.5MM in year one, with a $24.3MM team option in year two.
The $48.5MM figure reported by Charania below would only be accurate if Kuminga were traded on January 15, the first day he’s eligible to be moved. In that scenario, he’d earn a trade bonus worth about $1.7MM.
September 30, 10:31 pm: The signing is official, according to a team press release (Twitter link).
September 30, 5:49 pm: Restricted free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga has agreed to return to the Warriors on a two-year, $48.5MM contract that includes a team option, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports (Twitter link). The deal also features a 15% trade kicker, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks (YouTube link).
Between the start of free agency and Tuesday, Golden State increased its two-year offer by a total of $8MM, according to Charania, who notes that Kuminga will receive approximately $15MM more this season than he would have on his $8MM qualifying offer.
Had Kuminga signed the qualifying offer, he would have held an implicit no-trade clause during the 2025/26 season and would have become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He waived that no-trade clause as part of his new two-year agreement.
Kuminga and his agent had been seeking a player option as a prerequisite to spurning the qualifying offer, but ultimately settled for one of Golden State’s offers that included a team option. Kuminga chose this two-year deal over the Warriors’ previous three-year, $75MM offer so he can maintain a higher level of control over his immediate future, according to Charania.
The Warriors never wavered on that team option but both sides now understand the likelihood of exploring trades when Kuminga is eligible to be dealt on January 15, the ESPN insider adds (Twitter links).
Kuminga had a Wednesday deadline to sign the qualifying offer.
In terms of the roster, Golden State retains flexibility to sign a 15th player but likely not until the early part the regular season, assuming Al Horford receives the full $5.7MM taxpayer mid-level exception, Marks tweets. The veteran big man has agreed to a multi-year contract that will hard-cap the team at the second tax apron.
Kuminga’s restricted free agency was among the biggest subjects of discussion for much of the NBA offseason. The Warriors reportedly gave him three options as the deadline approached: a two-year, $45MM deal with a second-year team option, a three-year, $75MM deal with a third-year team option, or three years with no team option at a reduced rate of $54MM. Golden State ultimately reached an agreement with the former No. 7 overall pick by slightly increasing that first offer.
The Suns and Kings reportedly had interest in working out a sign-and-trade deal for Kuminga, but Golden State – trying to preserve its financial flexibility this season and in future offseasons – didn’t receive an offer to its liking from either Pacific Division rival.
Kuminga started 46 of 74 games during the 2023/24 season but had a reduced role in the 47 games in which he appeared in ’24/25, particularly after the team acquired Jimmy Butler. He only started 10 games while averaging 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists and played inconsistent minutes during the postseason. That was a factor in the contentious negotiations.
Kuminga now has strong incentive to post a strong, controversy-free season to pump up his value, whether he remains with the team or gets dealt.
All that drama for a dude who’s going to have to scrape and claw his way to a 30% 3FG lol
The contract was weighing on his mind. Now, he can relax. Contracts always screw with players.
Thats it huh ……. Niw he has no flaws. Hilarious lol
What are you whining about now? Is this how you cry when you are wrong? You kept saying for months he was going to sign the QO. Did that happen?
I said Warriors wanted him to sign the QO. Get it right. Months ……. Ha ha finally admit it. That’s hilarious…….
@KnickAl
You said he was going to take the QO. You said Horford would get more than the MLE. Both were wrong.
Hey now the Giddey salary matches up for an extremely reasonable and plausible trade!!!!
At least we don’t have to read about it anymore. Hopefully.
Its a great move by Warriors. Now they can trade him for value later in season. The issue will be how he handles coming off the bench. The miracle has happened ….. i told you to pray crybabies
It just proves that 25 million doesn’t really buy much anymore in the NBA I guess. Even mediocre gets you 25 million.
The last time the Knicks won anything of substance you were in diapers
Reno Chris- I was 14 and 17. I did wear tighty whiteys until college though. Personal choice.
@Druuuu
The Bulls aren’t that stupid, or are they?
They still have Huerter, Vujevic, White, Ayo, Collins on last year deals and won’t trade any of them. What do you think? I’ll wait.
Giddey is a steal on his new contract. Unlike Kuminga, he’s an all-star level player.
Yea but Kuminga ain’t no diddy like giddey
No the Bulls are not that dumb, just cheap. Some of the most vocal Warriors fans posting here are much dumber than the Bulls.
I am happy the Kuminga saga is over, but it’s not about the end of the road… it’s about the people who you lost respect for along the way.
Intentional ignorance and disingenuous grandstanding is the leading export from GSW fans this summer. Logic was scarce. Making up previous contract offers, assigning personality traits retroactively and ignoring on court performances was everywhere.
It was disheartening how much bad faith garbage commenter posting had to be sorted through.
Druu, Most of that is probably me. I just want the best for the team and the player and I think there’s a lot of work that needed to be done in the past that may not have been. Bith sides.
I’m hopeful the work will be put in going forward and that everyone will benefit.
Gary, it isn’t you. I think as the saga went on you were much more honest and real in your assessments of Kuminga by the end.
I honestly took your “fan discourse” criticism to heart, and I think it has had a positive impact on my ability to separate comments from fandom. It was an important distinction I wasn’t doing a very good job at and now it’s easier to identify a comment that is a fan geeking out over their team, from a comment blatantly misrepresenting the truth as to steer conversation in a certain direction or attempt at controlling narrative.
One person it’s applicable for, everyone can identify immediately, and the rest really know who they are.
Druuu, you are right. There was a lot of grandstanding over this whole Kuminga Saga. Yes, I am guilty of it. I did it because people kept ignoring what I said and turned it into something completely different.
@Giants74 Admitting you are grandstanding is progress. The next step is to admit you change your position all the time.
I have idea what you think I said. So, I have no idea what you think my position is. I don’t know what you think it changed. Elaborate.
It’s completely understandable and borderline human nature. I genuinely appreciate your honesty. I think at some point we are all guilty of it, I certainly am.
If people would be fine with being wrong, because we all are, I don’t think things would fall into these ego measuring contests. It’s hard not to match the energy of certain ridiculous posters, but it’s way more fun being honest and being wrong, than it is spamming how right you are over and over despite contrary evidence existing everywhere else outside your comment.
Discussion about NBA is pretty awesome, and the finer points of basketball and finance leave so much room for nuance and differing perspectives. I think we should encourage good posting and discourse instead whatever effing happened around Kuminga this summer.
Druuu, 2 awesome comments.
Number one you’re reminding me what’s important and what isn’t because I forget too often, and number two it was very kind of you to write my name and attach it to a positive experience. That’ll put a guy in good spirits all day long !!
So on a personal level, you really made my day bro. Thank you !!
I knew this Bum would fold
Isn’t 3 year for $75M, with 3rd year team option, better than 2 years for $48M with second year team option?
Gonna be interesting if he only gets an MLE offer after this contract, if that.
So 3/63M could be in his future instead if 3/75M lol. Don’t need ChatGPT for that math.
You do need to factor in the MLE being far higher for 3 seasons from now than it currently is. Like at least 4M more than right now.
I honestly think so … unless they trade him (Jan 15th the earliest).
Depends if he/his agent’s advice thinks he would re-sign for more than 25 M average once he hits free agency again one year earlier
If he wants to explore free agency 1 year sooner, a 3rd year is not better. It makes both sides happy. Let’s say he builds desirability. 2 quality seasons. For him, one year sooner to get more $ and for GS, a trade target team will be more amenable to agree to a trade during said quality seasons. Let’s say he’s not happy with playing time and/or he’s just not playing that well. A trade would make him happy. Trade helps him to possibly build a quality reputation with another team prior to free agency after contract ends. AND GS has better chance to make a trade without a 3rd year hanging things up. Having said all of this, I probably have proven my cluesless. Gary? Aristotle? Chappy? G74? How out to lunch was this response?
As a former pro athlete he is making a big mistake. 75 million is life changing. If he gets hurt has a bad year, he might Only make 75 total. Also you have to be realistic with your value. Pride is the ultimate sin. That 75 million is what he is worth right now.
Yup, he definitely values himself a lot more than the warriors or others teams seem to. I built several successful businesses, so it’s totality cool with me him taking a risk and betting on himself. Hopefully, he is doing it with eyes wide open though and willing to live with the possible repercussions if he gets major injury or his value sinks.
@buyingbuckets You say $75M is life changing.
He’s already made $28M. This contract gives him another $49M. That makes $77M.
When you have $77M already you can start betting on yourself.
He has not received 28 million. He 1 lives in California he has made 14.656 after taxes. He was playing his agent, lawyers and other fees such as retirement he probably came out with 8 million. He was 19 when drafted so that 8 million I’m buying things and living in NBA lifestyle. Even though most people here who’ve probably never made more than a million dollars, simply say just invest no 19 year in old is thinking just invest (even though that is the smart thing) haven’t been around and have friends who’ve currently made even more than that. I can 100% tell you that out of that he maybe has 1.8 to $3 million left over which she cannot go from 22 or 23 until retirement.
So yes 78 million is life changing money after You’ve already bought your family houses and yourself house and gone through your first self.
Last I will say this It’s not always smart to bet on yourself when you’re not being realistic about your skill set. Jonathan kaminga really doesn’t have much areas he can grow. Not saying he can’t get better in the player that he already is, but he’s not going to turn into a superstar overnight. He doesn’t have that potential and the way his game is. He’s not a small forward So his role is to get better at a power forward. Second, you got to look at economic turns. It’s not a coincidence with the new salary cap rules that a bunch of players aren’t getting crazy amounts of money. So if this had been five 6 years ago then yes it would have been better to bet on yourself and you probably maybe would have ended up with over $120 million contract. But in this economy and then this NBA it’s not as easy to pull those contracts anymore.
We can have a conversation about a skill set which I’ve been plenty honest on different posts that he’s not a superstar player. There’s no teams really with cap space except for Brooklyn and Utah and if they really wanted him they would have traded for them by now. So yes take the money. 3 years you will be 27 in your Prime and Go for it all because you already have a foundation
“Even though most people here who’ve probably never made more than a million dollars,”
You’re talking to a lot of old people here, not zoomers. Many of us have made more than a million dollars. It’s $100k/year over ten years. It’s not that impressive anymore in 2025 to have over a million in career earnings.
A million in a year Buddy. I’m pretty sure you don’t need to be a zoomer to make a million dollars in 10 years. There’s 24-year-olds making 150 so I’m sure by the time they’re 34 they’ve made more than a million dollars. Did you read the rest of the posts? Stop taking it personal. I was actually just The comment about $78 million not being life-changing money
You are not good at math the tax rate in California is 13% for millionaires. Not 50%.
He is paying 42 percent federal rate. The fact this got thumbs up is wild. Why does nobody on this site admit when they are wrong. If I’m wrong about something I have no problem admitting I’m wrong
let me guess you think rich elites pay all the taxes. That figure is before deductaions. All of his agents fees is wriiten off so let’s say a 2% fee that is 2% less paying. Write off all fees. I bet you didn’t know that 3 of the top 5 billionaires paid NO TAXES last year through loop holes in the tax codes. People making $50,000 pay a higher % of taxes than a millionaire.
Again you are showing you probably don’t make more than 80k talk the way you are about taxes. I bet you’re one of those people who watch YouTube videos of money gurus telling you to borrow $100,000 so you don’t have to pay taxes and you’re using other people’s money. If you think you can write 2% agent fees off you don’t know how taxes work. It’s people like you that think high earners like millionaires and business owners. The guy above don’t pay any taxes and they do. They pay more taxes than you pay. They actually pay more taxes than you’ll pay in a lifetime. Again, you must not know anybody who makes real money because nobody who makes $50,000 pays more money in taxes than a millionaire. If you make 50k in California, I hope you’re a partner of somebody with a bigger salary, somebody with a 50k salary in California would pay 3,691 and federal taxes. Which means if you have one child or any minor deduction you would get all that money back so you actually don’t know what you’re talking about thinking for exposing yourself. I will not respond to any more posts
because my comment doesn’t fit your opinion you attack me. If you want to debate don’t attack people. There is no reason for me to debate the issue if you are going to go attacking me. So either apologize for attacking me for NO REASON. I have a business degree so I know what I am talking about. So will you apologize and make it ONLY about the subject?
So you bring something up and then play the victim. Okay I am over this debate. You’re the one that said 75 million is nothing. Then you brought up how rich people don’t pay taxes. Stop making statements if you don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m sure someone on this post is in healthcare I don’t talk about injurys because I’m not a health professional.
Still waiting for the apology. I am not playing the victim card just asking you to take responsibility for your actions.Did I put you down? NO Why did you attack me? explain??
@buyingbuckets
ALL the money he makes is taxed. Past and the future. We all know that.
He makes $48.5M more on this 2 year deal. That’s enough for him to bet on himself on the next deal.
Former pro athlete in your dreams
I could flex but there would be not point. Enjoying my paid off house. You’re right, I wasn’t good enough to make it into the NBA, but I sure played enough overseas that I’m doing pretty well.
We’ve got a former pro athlete and a guy who has “built several successful businesses” commenting here. What a cavalcade of stars!
Ignore him rct. He writes like a punk writes. No offense to the rest of us but someone that successful, as he says he is, ignores these sites and these commenters. Us commenters that is. Just a punk. ignore him.
@rct
Right on.
When anonymous posters on a free Internet site tell you they’re rich and successful they’re lying.
When anonymous posters say they are an ex pro athlete you know they ain’t.
C’mon, man – you can’t be serious.
Send me your number and we can FaceTime. We can go on the internet. I can show you my stats. I can show you everything you need to know. I never said I was rich, I said I did well by taking my money about 1.8 million before taxes and creating a legacy for my family. I never played in the NBA tried and wasn’t good enough, like thousands of people.
Last this post started about 75 million not being life changing money and I said it is. Now you have a few insecure individuals coming at me and telling me I don’t make money or do anything but you’re the one saying $75 million isn’t life-changing money. So who’s really out of touch?
Last for the guy on the bottom who says overseas players or ballers. Don’t comment why would I not. I’m retired from basketball. I still have side business and work so I’m just a normal person and just because I play ball professionally overseas doesn’t make me above anybody else. As a NBA fan who has worked out and friends who are in the NBA. It intrigues me on what people talk about and views of the NBA.
And for the grammar guy I talk text and I’m not going to go back and correct the grammatical errors. It’s really not that important.
There are a lot of ballers on this site even though they weren’t pros.
You lost me when you said what skill does JK have that would ever lead any team to pay him $30M next year if he gets some run this season. Go check out the Minnesota 2nd round playoff series.
22 yr old, 24 ppg, 55 fg%, defending Ant-man
6’8″, 225 lbs, 7′ wing span, fastest recorded 30 yard sprint ever recorded in the NBA draft combine. Rare athlete
Say you don’t like him but don’t say everybody agrees with you
EasyMoneySniper, Good breakdown !! There’s a few things here that I didn’t realize about JK.
Very interesting thanks for posting it.
I never said I didn’t like him. You named his height and weight and still didn’t ask what his elite skill set? He was torched by a struggling Ant man. He did not impact winning for the warriors. Those are facts. What does fastest 30 yard Sprint have to do with impacting winning basketball. You are explaining attributes not skills sets for a NBA player.
Last I never said he wasn’t a NBA player. What I said is he is not a 30 million a year player. He is actually 6″7 power forward that doesn’t rebound or set screens. He can’t play with out the ball or shoot constantly. The team didn’t win a game in that series. Letting you know he is not your 2nd or 3rd Star on the team. If you are saying he is the 5th or 6th starter and you want to pay 30 million for that you will fail constructing a team.
Also what team wants him? You’re not stating X’s and O’s you stating what you feel.
At this point you all have changed this subject 3 times. Making it personal. Again what is his 30 million a year skill set and what team is willing to pay that?
You don’t sound like an expert. Just another fan. Sorry.
You got it man. You win brother hope to see you on another post
I’ll step up and say keep it coming buying buckets. I appreciate your perspective, your experience, and your basketball knowledge.
I read all your opinions and I think they are valid. Who’s to say they aren’t? Even the few times that I disagreed with you, I still learned something and enjoyed the read.
Good stuff bro, I hope you stick around.
Thanks man we are never right in everything. I was wrong about Mo Bamba for sure. Thought he was going to dominate. Remember arguing that point a few times and I was wrong. I just try not to make it personal and about player actually skills. Me and AL Don’t agree but I respect his opinion and thoughts as well. Look forward to more posts my man!!
It’s okay I thought Hasheem Thabeet was going to be something. Still feel bad for Thomas Robinson
Man can’t even Thabeet it was in college when I was and man he was massive block shots cats around the rim. So me and you both. Rj
the contract is better with a 2 year deal. He has time to build up his resume and still get a max when Butler pay is off the books. Hitting free agency at 24 means he will be in his prime.
Bro I mean this respectfully, What elite skill does kaminga possess that thinks thinks he would actually take Butler’s spot and be a number on any team? I really want to know this for all the people saying he’s holding out And it’s the right thing to do. What position does he play? The power forward or the small forward? What does he do that is going to warrant you giving up $30 million a year for a him
” What elite skill does kaminga possess that thinks thinks he would actually take Butler’s spot and be a number on any team?”
Kuminga has literally never said this. Kuminga can play PF and Jimmy SG.
You just blew your ex pro player cover.
Now we are fans lol ………. Hilarious lols
I told ya earlier lols… QO was never a real option just a threat.
> I told ya earlier lols… QO was never a real option
> just a threat.
Clearly the Warriors didn’t agree with you, otherwise they wouldn’t have raised the offer $8M, plus added a $4M trade kicker
Claude, I agree with almost everything you say.
Yes, he didn’t want the team to have an option on the third year.
Some might agree that a third year would make him less tradeable, but that’s not so easy to answer. If Kuminga plays well this season, then a third year on his deal would raise his trade value. If he plays badly, it would hurt.
Also, you have to know the amount due on a third year. It could be as low as, say, $23M, or as high as,say, $28…which makes all the difference.
Ari, Im thinking of how he’s thinking. Kuminga: “If I’m struggling or if Im not seeing the court im gonna want out (struggling means I don’t fit the scheme…notmy fault) and teams will see that. If Im a roaring success, my 3rd year is free agency instead”. Not sure he’d use those words LOL
No, Claude you were up to speed. I think I’m the only one on this board who missed it by a mile.
I thought for sure they would send them on the first plane out of town, but that’s not the case.
Slippery nipples for everyone here…, well except for Angry Al. He’s already had his…
Now would be a good time for Knickerbocker Al to man up and admit he was completely wrong that Kuminga would sign the QO.
But then he wouldn’t be KnickerbockerAl
They are trying to trade him. That’s the point of the contract negotiations. They have to have the contract manageable that they can actually move on from him. If his contract is too crazy then they would have to attach picks to him. There’s no teams out here calling for kaminga. If so, they would have opened up their book and gave him the money as in Brooklyn or the Jazz this summer and they didn’t. So what team wants him the kings? There’s not one player on the Kings that the warriors or anybody else would want except for maybe the sabonis or Murray and they’re not giving him up for kamanga. So this contract gives them enough to take back good enough salary and another team to just cut bait If he doesn’t fit this scheme that’s why they wanted the team option and not the player option. For kaminga, he’s overplaying his hand. He’s not as good as he thinks he is and quite honestly he’s like a fourth or 5th starter on a team if even that he doesn’t really have an identity or a role. So I don’t know why he thinks going to free agencies going to help him
@aristotle: Al would admit to you that he was wrong, except you’ve blocked him like you block everyone else who proves you wrong about something. The irony. . .
Well thank you my brother …. aristotle has no dignity. Its all about being right lol. He has been put in his place long ago lol. ……… I’m a Kuminga supporter. My whole take was Warriors treated him wrong. And I said Warriors wanted him to sign QO. Cause of cap restrictions. But lol my last post was. Pray he signs a contract for a sign-n-trade so you can move him. Almost got it lol …. Aristotle is a wanabee ……. He’s hurting still.
I’m a Kuminga supporter also.
You been saying every day since forever he was signing the QO.
@rct Al’s not admitting to anybody he was wrong.
He’s digging in on his lie. Look on this thread.
“I said Warriors wanted him to sign the QO.”
Bald face lie and he knows it.
Anytime anybody gets to prove that aristotle is all talk, aristotle gets that poster blocked. He has superiority complex and is always correct. No ifs and or but.
He blocks me and I block him. Don’t let anybody live rent free in your head
Not if you can get 30M on the open market.
Which Kuminga should be able to if he got 25 in RFA.
Who is going to give him 30. 30 million is third star on the team money
There’s teams dumb enough to give up value to get him. He plays well on a bad team and they give him his money. It happens in all sports. I feel like a majority of those bets don’t work out, but you just need to find one desperate gm
Do you need a list of players making over $30 million that are 3rd option stars? Poole, Grant Quickley, jalen Green, Middleton, Suggs, ball, Ingram, porter, and ect…
Everyone of those contracts are viewed as BAD contracts except for Suggs.
The only high 20 to mid 30 contracts that are viewed as valuable are White, Vassell, Jalen Johnson, Sengun, Brunson. Kuminga isn’t on any of their level.
Suggs contract is like Kuminga would be viewed on potential.
Everybody you named on that list is untradable and they’re not third stars. They’re third stars on on non-playoff teams. I would add only suggs is the only player on that list that could be traded if he shows that he can. Stay healthy
ACTUALLY – 30M is only 19% of next season’s salary cap. I.E. not 3rd star money. More like #3/4 Starter.
It’s Derrick White money.
Jalen Johnson money.
Andrew Wiggins money.
It’s 3M short of Mikal Bridges money.
It’s 5M short of Jrue Holiday money.
It’s 6M short of Jalen Green money.
It’s 12M short of OG Anunoby money.
It’s 16M short of Lauri Markkanen money.
It’s 27M short of Jaylen Brown & Karl-Anthony Towns money.
Most of those deals pre date the current 2nd apron enviroment.
They also pre-date the TV deal.
Most of them were signed with the current cap environment in-mind.
Everyone has had the cap projections. This isn’t rocket science, except for the people afraid of math.
The money for that is backloaded so it really hasnt hit yet. This season they are making a small amount more than last.
No, the money wasn’t backloaded, it was FLATENED (a term referred to as “Cap Smoothing”, which you may or may not have heard of). It is going up 8-10% each season rather than the large spike that allowed GS to sign Durant (and lead to the Mozgov contract, etc).
Every single team/agent has known this well in advance and negotiated contracts/extensions from the last 2 years with this in mind. It’s certain fans who fancy themselves an online expert without actually putting in the work who are slow to the take.
He’s 22 yrs old. Improving every year. Rookie extensions are a bet on the future.
Kuminga still has to prove himself. At least now he has a platform to do it. I believe in him always have. Most Warriors fans on here never did lol.
Al, that is right. Most Warriors fans here don’t like him.
But most of the rest of the Warriors fans do like him.
It’s much better tban QO for Kuminga and esp Warriors!
Possibly – it might allow the acquiring team to have his Bird rights. But he wants out ASAP, so went for the 1+1.
Hohum
No QO, lol! Oustanding contract for Kuminga. He can just hoop now. It does come with playing time assurance. Kerr will finally treat him as a player. Even Moody was treatd differently onve he signed last year.
I don’t think Kerr will change. Oh well
Kerr has to play a $24M a year guy.
But only until he looks off Steph.
He won’t do that.
But also, if Steph is playing 30 MPG, that’s minimum 18 Kuminga should be out there.
@NBA is OK
Kerr went on record trying to recruit Kuminga back. Kerr might change his mind like he has a bunch before. You may not care about Kerr’s reputation with NBA players. But if Kerr is lying that’s some nasty s**t.
“IF JK COMES BACK, WE WILL FOR SURE SPEND THE EARLY PART OF THE SEASON PLAYING HIM WITH JIMMY, DRAYMOND, AND STEPH. TO ME, THAT WOULD BE A NO-BRAINER. WE DIDN’T HAVE THAT LUXURY THIS YEAR.. WE’VE BASICALLY BEEN IN THE PLAYOFFS SINCE THE MINUTE WE GOT JIMMY AND THAT WAS ALSO WHEN JK GOT HURT.”
link to hoopshype.com
Who said Kuminga was “100% definitely taking the QO” again? I seem to remember reading it. Interesting.
I called it just do a 2 year deal and both parties are happy.
Yes, you said from the start he deserved $24.5M/yr
:–)
Apparently they’ll have room for Seth Curry as the 15th man, but will have to wait until the regular season (Nov 15th).
link to x.com
All that just for him to accept a team option? What a drama queen he could’ve signed months ago.
He got $3.5 million more by not signing months ago. That’s a lot of money to most people.
> What a drama queen he could’ve signed months ago.
By waiting, he got $5.5M more for the same terms — about a 14% increase.
But he was adamant that he DIDNT want the team option and was willing to die on his hill. I get it to us 5.5M is life changing money just thought he was going to stick to his guns and take the QO. Good for the Warriors though I think they did great with their moves and are gonna make noise this year. I hate them for what they did to the Rockets all these years but they have talent
> But he was adamant that he DIDNT want the team
> option and was willing to die on his hill.
No, his agent said that he would consider signing an extension if the amounts of two of the offers (this one and the one with the team option in the third year) were increased.
Lacob caved and increased the offer by $5.5M.
Kuminga’s agent was adamant about taking off the team option. He definitely wanted the player option.
Started at $40m at first, so $8.5m increase plus a trade kicker! Kuminga did well…
Michol- you may have a future in an NBA front office.
Last season, you called the Moody extension terms exactly. (I came in way too low on Moody.)
With Kuminga, we both correctly predicted last week: Lacob would blink.
You were 100% correct with your analysis that Lacob wants to keep him and not trade him!
The kicker is mostly meaningless until the offseason. He would have to waive it for GSW to trade him, since they would be on the hook for the kicker, and it would push them past the hard cap. They could I guess make other moves, but it gets a lot more complicated then.
The two sides are saying their hope is that Kuminga will have success in a new role this year, and that they hope to rip it up at the end of this year with a multi-year extension.
As in, they are now saying they want a long-term engagement, and are not planning on a trade.
I wouldnt bet money on him not being traded. MDJ said he would never trade Poole like a day before he did. I would say it will definitely depend on how he looks with this roster.
@chapman,
I’ll bet money that he won’t be traded this season for the same reason I’ve maintained for the last year that Kuminga would be signed to an extension, and that Lacob would eventually pay him: because Joe Lacob wants it that way.
When Lacob said repeatedly in public that Kuminga (and Podz) will be part of the core in 2027-28, believe him. There will be life after Steph.
Today, Lacob said that there is an understanding with Kuminga that if he commits to and succeeds in his “new role”, they will rip up the existing contract and write a new longer one for more years.
@chapman, it’s not meaningless, and for the exact reason you mention. Because the hard cap prevents (or, effectively preempts) the Warriors from trading him, he has a measure of control.
Generally, I think you’re mistaking the intent of the broader agreement: it’s to promote keeping Kuminga after this season, not trade him.
Certainly they want the option if Kerr actually tries to limit Butler’s minutes and figures out how to better use Kuminga despite his flaws.
But I’ll be surprised if it’s successful, because I think Kuminga really wants to leave and his isoball style will continue to irritate Kerr, who’s likely to try an 11-man rotation again.
He’s going to be at the end of the bench towards the end of tht contract.
you 100% do not know ball
Yeah because the Warriors wanted him so badly lol.
Lacob’s fave player and personal project, but sure buddy, you know better than Joe Lacob. Sure.
So what happened to “the Warriors’ plan all along” to give him the player option?
Who knows, predicting stuff is hard? At least I didn’t say “Kuminga is definitely taking the QO”.
I’m ok with this outcome, you guys! I’m OK. Hmm. O…..K. O-K. Out Kuminga? Well yyyyeeeahhhhssss. OUT-KUH-MIN-GUH! OUT-KUH-MIN-GUH! OUT-KUH-MIN-GUH!! We’re still in the Giannis Sweepstakes!! YEAH!!
I really think we have a shot this year.. Steph, Buddy, Jimmy, Dray, and the Horeford starting. Podz, GP3, Melton, JK, Post coming off the bench. I think Will Richards and a two-way player LJ Cryer… who will be in Santa Cruz for most of the year but will come up when we experience an injury will have some key moments. Oh dang I forgot about Moody, Santos, TJD even Spencer. This might be one of the deepest Warriors teams in years
Much better than last year’s team
Yes
@DwayneM
I’m betting Podz will start.
Better not run into the Nuggets. Jokic dropping 50-20-20 on those flabby and sick bigs.
Jokic and the rest of the big guys will tire out by third quarter and need oxygen chasing Curry. Jokic getting older and more out of shape.
The guy just averaged a triple double lol.
And Jokic doen’t rely on speed or athleticism.
Jokic just hit 30. He is already big he will only get slower and slower. Do as Kerr does and keep the ball out of his hands and make others beat you.
When was the last time the Warriors beat Denver?
They beat them in the playoffs before. 4-4-25 last time the warriors beat the Nuggets. Now with Butler they can beat the Nuggets.
A late April game where the Nuggets didn’t start a PG is your argument?
The Warriors are 1-10 against Denver in the last 3 years. They haven’t beaten Jamal Murray since 2021.
They don’t have the size to matchup with Jokic (Draymond is ineffective). Curry is too old to go nuclear the way he used to.
That is the same as I making up the excuses the warriors didn’t have Butler and Thompson was hurt most of those games. Look at the scores of the games almost none was blow outs. Nuggets are not a young team in teh strarting lineup like they were. hate to say it but teh Nuggets can’t expect muarry to be the same player he once was with those injuries. Just like Thompson you lose a step in the NBA you can’t compete like once you did.
I don’t think the Warriors have as bad of a record vs any West team over the 3 yr period – the matchup isn’t good.
Horford should help.
……Murray just turned 28.
His ACL tear was 4 years ago.
Watching him he doesn’t have that explosive step he once had. He is now pulling up and shooter mid range instead of going to the basket. Missing Porter who was good at setting screens for Muarry is going to hurt him.
“The Nuggets are not a young team in the starting lineup”
NUGGETS (Average Age: 28.2)
Murray (28), Braun (24), Johnson (29), Gordon (30), Jokic (30)
WARRIORS (Average Age: 33.8)
Steph (37), Podziemski (22), Jimmy (36), Draymond (35), Horford (39)
Imagine the level of homerism required to actually try making this arguement.
4 rings to 1 ring shows they are the winning team. Jokic body is big and will not hold up very long. Post will start over Halford. So you admit experience is better. Johnson needs to prove he can win after playing on a bad team. Nuggets couldn’t get out of the 2nd round last year fully healthy.
Starting lineup for the Warriors will be older. Podski‘s not gonna start.
The Nuggets did start their PG, he dropped 33/12/9. It’s irrelevant though. Both teams have some major personnel changes.
My point is they started Peyton Watson, while Jamal Murray DNP’d. The 22 playoff series was without Murray and Porter. They haven’t held a candle to Denver since.
Jokic solved the Warriors, and the Nuggets solved Curry. They own them about as bad as they did the Lakers.
Curry vs DEN
2025: 39% FG%, 34 3PT%
2024: 38 FG%, 31 3PT%
2023: 42 FG%, 34 3PT%
Curry shot 13-24 (54 FG%, 47 3PT%) in the non-Murray game and 14-44 (32 FG%, 28 3PT%) in the two losses.
I’d be a lot more worried about that guy than the age of Jamal Murray. The Warriors are a sneeze away from being a 500 Play-In team like DAL/SAC.
Come on now we have a 82 season to get through. So nobody knows how the playoffs will be. There is not 1 team in the west better than all the rest. Its going to be hard enough to get into the top 6 in the west for every team. If Curry or Jokic goes down for a long time neither of those teams make the playoffs outside of the play in. No need to cherry pick stats to prove any point because 25/26 season doesn’t matter about the past.
“Jokic and the rest of the big guys will tire out by third quarter”
This is so wrong that the actual polar opposite of it is true. Jokic is known for getting stronger as the the game goes on. He does not tire, that is why he is so good.
But still, DDC is coping. “Flabby and sick” lmao never heard that one before, it is so stupid lmao
Green Light in the second unit. Kuminga wants to play quick and Jimmy slow. Kuminga can play with other starters too, just not Jimmy. Podz, Steph, Kuminga, Al and Green can work. D covered and spacing for Kuminga to get out in transition and slash. Iso in second unit when his number is called, get downhill young man.
There best starting 5 last season was Butler/Post/Podz/Draymond/Curry. Nothing else was close. Having Horford come off the bench makes more sense. He not going to play as many games so you have a more cohesive unit.
I agree with everything you say but from a previous post you said Horford should be coming off the bench. I see your point but Post would be starting center?
Post grew a lot during last season. He spent the summer working on his fundamentals at the Chase Center. He’ll get his ear talked off by Butler and Draymond about what he needs to do on the floor.
I definitely see what you see from Post and I think his and Horford mins will be split up …with some TJD mins thrown in. I just feel like a starting 5 with Horford will get the game going in the right direction. But I definitely see your point about Post… he’s going to be a key contributer
I bet Horford starts but as usual not both games in the back to back.
Post will learn a lot about how to play defense from Horford.
I saw a video of players talking about Draymond. One of them said, “He (Draymond) never our offense better than we did”. Between Horford, Butler, and Draymond, Post should learn a lot. Hopefully, Kuminga will be a part of those lessons.
@ Aristotle….you mistake truth and honest opinion for hate. Common traits in people of all ages apparently when it comes their team. Ask me about mine I’ll be straight up. Won’t be looking through rose coloured glasses.
Right. Because Kuminga hasn’t been mentored by Draymond for the last 4 years.
They hang out together all the time. Including off-season workouts.
Horford should be coming off the rocking chair, he’s got nothing left.
At Giants. Horford is starting 100%. Doesn’t mean he has to play 35 minutes a game. He’s a tone setter and will be closing out games too. Post can still get spot minutes and improve. Podz is my back up PG on this team. I like him in the second unit and bringing energy off the bench. I see him more a traditional type point who can play off the ball @ the 2 if need be. Facilitate and play both ends hard type for me.
I’m going to shock you and some others. Steph, Moody, Butler, Green, Horford would be my starters. Doesn’t mean Moody has to play 35 minutes either. A second unit of Podz, Hield, Kuminga, Post while playing with Horford would benefit Kuminga greatly. Kuminga has the highest ceilings of the bench. It’s time to accommodate him and get the best out of him. That second unit just mentioned could have Melton over podz and the other Curry over Hield too. A traditional type Facilitator (Podz, Melton) and guys who can spread the floor will unlock Kuminga. Kuminga has fantastic awareness of space and timing. Great slasher. He’s fantastic at getting downhill. If a defender is in his airspace, give up the rock, go work for others off the ball. It will probably come back to you. My opinion for the Warriors to really make some noise. Kuminga has to be close to 6th man of the year.
@Giants74 Sure. Horford will come off the bench behind Post.
This will be another take you deny you ever said in 2 weeks.
Nrg82, what’s up with you and the great GSW posts ?!
You totally nailed it.
Nrg82 knows basketball. He’s a hooper.
Don’t be so surprised he’s been doing it for years. You just don’t see it.
I’m going to start reading his posts again.
Gee thanks ….. get a groove first
Thanks Gaz….I did play a little for a while, lols.
So now the real work begins. Presumably, Horford, Post, Melton, and a healthy Moody will give them the outside shooting they lacked last year after Klay left. They’ll have more spacing for Butler and Kuminga to operate. Butler said he felt he could mesh with Kuminga. Now they can work on that chemistry in training camp and the start of the season instead of a playoff chase. Kuminga has to learn to adapt. But, Butler and Draymond can help him realize his potential.
I remember you telling me that can’t happen. When I said he should be backing Jimmy and play some with him. When Kerr didn’t want to play him. How secure you are lol ……. wagoneer to the core
You are completely wrong again. You are making stuff up. I never said it couldn’t happen. It takes time to develop chemistry. A playoff is not the right time. Why change something that is working?
You ask me flat out that question. On why he should play. Cause I criticized Kerr.
And I answered it. You are only one who lies in here. I will bring up that post.
I told you I will show who your. You wanted me. You got me. Like oil on diddy. I will show who you are . You started this. I finish
I’m not sure what part you are not understanding. Before Butler, the Warriors were in a death spiral. Nothing was working. When Butler arrived, the offense took off and the defense started to clampdown. So, why should Kerr change what was finally working? Kuminga needed to work his way into the rotation.
@Giants74 Are you losing your mind? Or are you just so dishonest you cannot admit you were wrong?
Al is absolutely right. You made that point many times.
@easymoney What am I being dishonest about? The Warriors struggled before Butler joined the team. That is a fact. Prove to me I am wrong.
Bandwagon fans think they can say whatever lol. They think nobody is watching. Peace
It’s weird that the best lineup GSW has is one Kerr will never use:
Curry-Butler-Green-Kuminga-Horford
Jimmy or even Dray could move to SG while still playing the “point”. This would be another example of how GSW uses positions differently to everyone else. PG Curry but playing off ball, drawing 3 guys, C Horford with wide open looks all year…honestly not a bad basic plan here
At last the posturing and negotiating in the public is over. Kuminga came to his senses and took the $ for this year. His future in Golden State remains iffy, but he will get paid this year.
He’s making $24M a year now, Kerr has to play him no matter what the peanut gallery thinks.
> Kuminga came to his senses and took the $ for this
> year.
Actually, the Warriors came to their senses and raised the offer $5.5M.
I might be the only one on here who actually loves Kuminga and believes in his superstar potential…he already is kinda there, did we all miss how he was the only one who showed up after Curry got hurt vs the Wolves? He is past his injuries now and is primed for superstardom. He has always been a delight to watch and to be around, only to have all these lunatics and phony Warriors fans online decide to turn him into a villain for no reason, just for wanting the most money he could get from the most valuable NBA franchise, one that’s worth billions. Gross. That’s on yall, that is never me. I want Kuminga on my team, only wanting him gone if it means GSW gets Giannis.
Kuminga should lead the team in MPG this year, being young and elite-ceilinged, and Kerr giving “the uncs” some rest. Kerr always talks about his “connector guy” to describe some undersized guard who can play in multiple units – but that should be Kuminga in that glue guy role that Kerr loves so much this season, not an undersized guards.
BTW, why does GSW want so many undersized guards again?
Steve Kerr after Warriors lose in playoffs ——-
“ With his future in The Bay in doubt, head coach Steve Kerr made a brutally honest statement about him on Wednesday.
“It’s a tricky one because Jonathan obviously is gifted and wants to play a bigger role and wants to play more,” Kerr said. “For me, I’ve been asked to win, and right now he’s not a guy who I can say I’m gonna play 38 minutes with the roster that we have, Steph and Jimmy and Draymond, and put the puzzle together that way and expect to win. Doesn’t mean he’s not a really good player, doesn’t mean he’s not talented. It just means the fit and with the roster we have, it is tricky. There’s no question.”
So now he’s all in on Kuminga coming off the bench. This is not a done deal. Warriors still have work to do. And have to find a way for this to work. After all they want to contend this yr. I know this. Their big 4 are HOF players. So they will have to play a part in Kumingas growth. Kerr also owes this to them. To make this work. Imo in the end I see a trade coming. Now Warriors are in a place of strength. And can get real value for Kuminga. And Kuminga can go start and be a starter on another team.
Didn’t I tell the crybabies to pray lol ….. see miracles do happen…. Time to play now.
On the positive side at least they’re familiar with this player. They’re not starting from scratch like I anticipated with a brand new guy. So that’s good news at least.
Maybe if things work out and maybe Al Horford is a calming influence, bridges can be mended and this thing moves forward in a positive way perhaps even after the trade deadline? Who knows?
We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. Looking forward to the season now That this nightmare is finally over.
Good post Al. Warriors fans appreciate the positive vibe.
Old heads like Horford, K. Love are positives on that locker room.
Nowhere to go for JK than to ball-out, whatever minutes he gets from Kerr.
Kuminga has to do his part. If had signed earlier in the summer, he could have joined Butler and Draymond in their workouts. They would be so much further along.
$8M increase in Warriors offer says you’re wrong
Who was wrong? He is making less than Giddey.
@KnickerbockerAl
That is dishonest. You skipped the part where Kerr said he’s all-in on Kuminga.
“IF JK COMES BACK, WE WILL FOR SURE SPEND THE EARLY PART OF THE SEASON PLAYING HIM WITH JIMMY, DRAYMOND, AND STEPH. TO ME, THAT WOULD BE A NO-BRAINER. WE DIDN’T HAVE THAT LUXURY THIS YEAR.. WE’VE BASICALLY BEEN IN THE PLAYOFFS SINCE THE MINUTE WE GOT JIMMY AND THAT WAS ALSO WHEN JK GOT HURT.”
link to hoopshype.com
Kerr has said worse things about Kuminga before. His actions speak for themselves. After the trade for Jimmy he didn’t really play JK. And even in the playoffs he sat him. Only when Curry got hurt. Did he play JK. So this is still a work in progress ….
This is what’s known as a damage control attempt, trying to walk back what he really thinks.
@NBA is OK That sounds like you’re making excuses for Kerr.
Don’t make promises you can’t keep if you want to be a leader or a coach. Unless you’re Steve Kerr. Then you can do it any time you want because you can’t be fired.
I guess you’ll be one of the fans blaming Kuminga when Kerr doesn’t keep his public promise. How ungrateful to expect the coach to keep his word. Maybe Kerr will let him know by text.
If everyone is healthy all year then there is no excuse not to win a championship. Butler I’m looking at you. If Wiggins can do it then you definitely should be able to do it
Championship or bust
Calm down bro ….. looking good so far.
I’m not a Warriors fan either. I’m just stating what the expectations should be. It’s all up to St. Curry
Exactly. This is a win-now squad and if they don’t, then Kerr gotta go.
WOW!
Warriors ponied up. It’ll be interesting to see who he’s moved for. I imagine Warriors have a list of guys at that price.
Thank god the drama is over.
Dunleavy got what he wanted. They stayed below the 1st apron and got the team option.
Yes, and Kuminga got what he wanted also. Some security, short term contract, and playing time assurance.
How long do they have to wait until they trade him?
Jan 15th.
@washington_b
No kidding, that holdout was really annoying. They might end up with Monk and the late FRP yet!
Not going to be a fun Kings camp this year. Monk knows the Kings don’t want him and no team offered the Kings anything for him. Not the way to start out camp knowing you are unwanted.
@arc89, You’re right, but I think the main source of stress is the new front-office, who have made clear they want to shake things up. In order of discomfort, I see it this way:
1. Keegan Murray, once anointed as their future franchise player.
– Coming off disappointing 3rd season
– Kings did not offer him an extension
– Kings promised Jonathan Kuminga his PF position
2. Devin Carter PG, a lottery pick last year.
– Kings offered him in trades (including Kuminga offer)
– Kings signed Denis Schroeder to be starting PG
3. Malik Monk, apparently offered in trades
– Acquisition of bucket-getter Lavine at the off-guard reduces the need for him.
– Signed team-friendly contract out of love for Mike Brown, D Fox, team fit with old roster
– Coming off career-best 17.2 ppg with team-friendly deal, he has most movable contract on team.
IMO, at least one of these 3 will be moved to upgrade the team’s athleticism and perimeter defense.
Of your 3 points here is my perspective on it.
1. Keegan Murray the kings feel he will bounce back if not he is their best trade chip on the team. Muarry actually turned dow the extension offer but nobody knows what it was since it was never shared with the media. So Muarry is betting on himself.
2. Carter was a horrible draft pick. If you look at his college history he is a defensive PG but can’t shoot the ball. He had only 1 good shooting year in college his last year in college. They will end up trading him for anything they can get even a 2nd round pick
3. How can Monk feel good about being there if he knows he was offered around? I do see him getting traded if the kings get off to a poor start which i feel they will do. Some contending will trade for him.
> Muarry actually turned dow the extension offer but nobody
> knows what it was since it was never shared with the media.
> So Muarry is betting on himself.
I missed that. Where did you see it discussed? What I’ve seen is that the two sides are very far off so an offer hasn’t been made.
From what the reports say Muarry deferred all questions about contract to his agent. There is a Oct 20th deadline for rookie extensions. The Kings have expressed interest in keeping Murray long-term. However, his future is complicated by the team’s salary cap situation and ownership’s historical avoidance of the luxury tax. There is also some uncertainty regarding Murray’s offensive role, especially after the team traded for Zach LaVine.
Oil and Diddy????? Some weird BASKETBALL comments in here. You realize we are talking about a bench player/6th man. Chill tf out lets see what this season brings. You don’t always have to be right or feel like you’re right 🤣🤣🤣
Way too many posters targeting specific posters for harassment instead of talking hoops-SAD!
Kuminga should lead the Warriors in MPG if all goes well! Can’t wait to watch the young buck explode this year!
Thats a personal feud lol …..
Opinions and balling are two different things. There are some posters on here. Who have been trashing JK for two years. Thats fact
OK, wow I didn’t read it correctly the first time through. I thought it was a straight 2 year contract and guaranteed.., but it says above that it’s a two year contract with a TEAM OPTION the second year.
-So the Warriors did not cave. They got what they wanted, they just threw in a little more money, which is cool. Glad Kuminga is going to make a nice salary now. He deserves it.
-So JK and his team were not dumb and didn’t take the QO. Nice move.
-Yes there IS a difference between 8 and 20+ million.
-He DID cave on his principles and took the money. As many of you said, the QO was a bluff and his principles were a bluff.
This is all good. I think many of us expected it this way in some form. There were so many variations to the possibilities.
In the end, he took the money as any of us would’ve I think. I definitely would’ve. Who cares where I’m playing or who the coach is. I’ll take 24 1/2 million now worry about next year, next year. And I think most of us are on the same page with this. Now Ball out and be so good they can’t ignore you.
Let’s go Warriors !!!!
He wanted a Player Option and no Team Option. He gets his money and the Warriors have flexibility going forward.
This is what I would do
PG. Curry, Podz, Melton, TW Spencer
SG. Heild, Moody, Curry, Payton, Richard
SF. Butler, Kuminga, TW Toohey
PF. Green, Jackson-Davis, Santos, TW Rowe
C . Horford, Post,
Waive Rowe, Spencer and Seth Curry, sign a young C and young PG (22-23) you pick the contract and one extra roster spot open
Give Kuminga 30 minutes a game. Backup SF and PF
Still need a shot blocking C
> He DID cave on his principles and took the money. As
> many of you said, the QO was a bluff and his
> principles were a bluff.
Gary, that’s not quite right. His agent said he would sign the QO only if the Warriors didn’t raise the existing offer(s) significantly. Lacob raised the offer significantly.
The Warriors raised the first offer by $5.5M, which was roughly what they asked for, and, additionally, gave him a $4M trade kicker. Basically, if they trade him year, he makes almost $30M for the season.
They are also still working on language in the contract to cover the terms of the option year, which are reportedly also positive for Kuminga.
Excellent Ari. Thank you for the info.
Let’s go St. Curry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So it happened, lol.
Personally, I never believed he’d take the QO, and the likelihood of a sign-and-trade was always low in this cap environment when most teams are hard-capped at the aprons, nobody has space, and GS with their unrealistic expectations. And an offer sheet was just a mirage and nothing more than a point for talking heads to prattle about. In the modern NBA, nobody signs offer sheets anymore.
From the GS perspective, I still think they should have tried signing him to a 4/85-90 fully guaranteed or smth in that range. He’d have more value on that kind of deal.
From Kuminga’s agent’s perspective, he can claim he did a good job and got something out of those negotiations.
For JK himself, yeah he wanted to go to a different team. But GS having so many over 35s probably means he’ll play a lot. Having a contract will mean GS will not limit his minutes and put him in bad positions on that basis. As we’ve seen, Moody greatly benefited from signing. “Kuminga can’t play with Butler/Curry/whoever else” is nothing but an imaginary invention trying to explain away what was happening in the team. He can absolutely play with all those players. Curry, Draymond, Podz are all willing passers and in various ways compensate for JK’s certain deficiencies, while he offers things none of them have. If anything, he fits much much better with who GS have than he would in some other teams.
One thing he probably won’t like is how many short guards they signed again, which will make him match up unfavourably against bigger players in games.
As a fan of a different team, I wish Kuminga (and Giddey too, ofc) took the QO and would be there to sign in free agency next summer. Well, hopefully at least Grimes will do that.
The 76ers have basically made their offers so bad that Grimes has to take the QO (or less likely, other 1 yr deal if he gives up the NTC) today.
I think a lot of teams will have interest.