Warriors expect Jonathan Kuminga to remain this season

Aug 4, 2025 7:26 PM

After stalled sign-and-trade talks, the Warriors expect Jonathan Kuminga to remain on their roster for the season, according to Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard.

As a restricted free agent, Kuminga’s summer has been marked by a deadlock. No team has enough cap space to make a competitive offer, and Golden State hasn’t received a trade package it values. The Kings and Suns have been linked to potential deals, but talks have gone nowhere.

Sources say the Warriors have been reluctant to trade Kuminga, with owner Joe Lacob backing him strongly and only willing to part ways for a “real value” return. Lacob is prepared to wait, so there’s no pressure on GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. to accept a quick deal before training camp.

Without outside offers, Kuminga faces limited choices: accept the Warriors’ reported two-year, $45 million offer with a team option, or take the one-year, $8 million qualifying offer.

Kawakami sees the Kings as Kuminga’s best fit, noting they could offer a bigger role and a three-year, $63 million deal. However, Sacramento’s trade offer – Malik Monk plus a protected future first-round pick – hasn’t impressed Golden State.

The Warriors want an unprotected pick and are unlikely to include key players like Moses Moody or Buddy Hield, who would need to be part of any trade due to salary rules.

Kuminga has until October 1 to accept the qualifying offer, but that deadline can be extended by agreement, so there’s no rush.

Kawakami suggests a compromise: the Warriors replace the second-year team option with a partially guaranteed year worth about $14 million.

This would guarantee Kuminga over $30 million, remove his trade veto, and offer more security than the qualifying offer – while making a future trade easier.