Something weird is going on in the Bay Area — and no, it’s not another start-up trying to deliver artisanal guacamole by drone. It’s something much bigger, stickier, and packed with way more drama: the Jonathan Kuminga contract standoff. Golden State has a high-flying, 22-year-old forward sitting in restricted free agency limbo, and what looked like a slam-dunk extension a year ago has turned into a stalemate colder than a leftover quinoa salad.
Let’s be real: this is the kind of saga that has NBA group chats lighting up at 2 AM with “Bro… did you see what Stein just posted?”
So grab a snack, crack open a LaCroix, and let’s unravel the full mess—from contract figures to coaching beefs to the most polite tug-of-war in NBA history. Because whether you love or loathe the Warriors, one thing’s certain: Jonathan Kuminga’s situation is the most intriguing slow burn of the offseason.
Not long ago, Jonathan Kuminga’s next deal was rumored to be somewhere between $100 and $150 million—real generational-wealth-type money. Then came the Warriors’ counteroffer: two years, $40 million.
Wait… what?
Yep, according to Marc Stein, the Warriors’ best offer to Jonathan Kuminga so far has “topped out in the two-year, $40 million range.” That’s not exactly the kind of number that makes you drop your phone in shock. More like… quietly swipe up and pretend you didn’t see it.
Per Marc Stein:
Word is that the Warriors’ best offers to Kuminga have topped out in the 2-year, $40 million range
— dre (@OnBallSteph) July 29, 2025
And while $20 million per year isn’t exactly Monopoly money, it’s a far cry from what Kuminga’s camp had hoped for—especially after he stepped up when Steph Curry went down during the playoffs. The man averaged 21 points and 6.3 boards on nearly 47% shooting before the Jimmy Butler trade turned him into a glorified towel-waver.
We’ll get to that in a second.
One big wrench in this already squeaky machine? Steve Kerr.
Now, before we go any further: yes, Kerr helped bring multiple championships to the Bay. Yes, he’s one of the smartest minds in basketball. And yes, he could probably win an argument with a granite countertop. But lately? His handling of Jonathan Kuminga has raised more eyebrows than a botched Botox job. Just ask Kendrick Perkins, who went full “uncle at the BBQ” mode on Road Trippin’, asking, “At what point are we going to hold the Golden State Warriors accountable?” Perkins didn’t mince words. He believes Steve Kerr is holding Kuminga back, saying, “He’s the one who decided to bench the man at the start of the postseason last year.”
Let that sink in. A 22-year-old averaging over 20 points in a playoff series… gets benched. Somewhere, a fantasy league manager just fainted. Kuminga, understandably, is not looking to return under these circumstances. His camp has reportedly been actively pursuing sign-and-trade options, with Sacramento and Phoenix named as the two most determined suitors.
Here’s the catch: the Warriors want a first-round pick in return. Simple enough on paper. But in real life? The Suns can’t even offer a first-rounder, which makes that potential marriage about as feasible as a “quiet night out” on Bourbon Street.
So we’re stuck. Kuminga doesn’t want to return. Golden State doesn’t want to overpay. Other teams want him… but not enough to cough up the picks. And in the middle of it all? A 22-year-old with elite athleticism, a sky-high ceiling, and maybe just a bit of burnout from riding the bench behind established stars and uncertain rotations.
Why the two-year offer actually makes sense (Kind of)
If you look past the numbers and the emotion, there is a strategic reason for the Warriors’ two-year, $40M pitch. It gives them roster flexibility without locking themselves into a long-term gamble. And for Jonathan Kuminga, it could be a bridge deal to unrestricted free agency at age 24—still young enough to cash in big if he balls out.
Think of it as a professional prenup: awkward, maybe even offensive, but practical.
And don’t forget, the Warriors aren’t exactly bidding against a flood of offers. The restricted free agency market has been dry. Like, Mojave Desert dry. Just ask Josh Giddey, Quentin Grimes, or Cam Thomas. Nobody’s throwing money around like it’s 2016 anymore.
Dec 23, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) looks on against the Indiana Pacers in the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
Let’s zoom out. Remember when the Warriors tried to walk the “two timelines” tightrope? Keep the aging core while developing the next-gen talent? Yeah, about that…
James Wiseman: Gone.
Moses Moody: In and out of the lineup like a broken Bluetooth connection.
Jonathan Kuminga: Now the last major piece of that plan… and dangling by a thread.
When they had the chance to package youth for a star? They hesitated. And now, instead of an All-NBA running mate for Steph, they’re negotiating like a Craigslist buyer offering $40 for a $120 dining set.
The truth is, nobody knows. Maybe Jonathan Kuminga takes the short deal, bets on himself, and lights it up until 2027. Maybe Sacramento steps in with a shiny package and a first-rounder that finally moves the needle. Or maybe, just maybe, Steve Kerr and the Warriors have one last trick up their very expensive sleeves.
But for now, we’re all left refreshing our phones and watching the clock tick toward August, when the market might thaw… or freeze over completely.
One thing’s for sure: Jonathan Kuminga’s name isn’t just floating around the rumor mill — it’s practically running the place.
The post Warriors Rumors: Front Office Plays Safe With Jonathan Kuminga Contract After Troubling Steve Kerr Detail appeared first on EssentiallySports.
