Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga is at the center of a contract standoff, and his agent says the 22-year-old is prepared to take the qualifying offer if necessary.
Aaron Turner, Kuminga’s agent, said, via ESPN’s Anthony Slater, on the Hoop Collective podcast that his client will not hesitate to sign the $7.9 million qualifying offer unless the Warriors adjust their current proposal. “The QO is real for sure,” Turner said.
Golden State has offered a three-year, $75.2 million extension with a team option in the final season. Kuminga’s camp wants a player option instead, which would give him greater control over his future.
“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 moving forward, you give him the player option,” Turner said. “You don’t get a perfect deal, but you get a pretty good deal and he gets to feel respected.”
The dispute highlights the Warriors’ attempt to preserve flexibility. A team option would allow the front office to retain control of Kuminga as a tradeable asset, while a player option shifts leverage to him.
Turner added that Kuminga has drawn attention from rival teams, including the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. “They’re saying, ‘Hey, we want you to be you. We don’t want you to change anything. We want to put the ball in your hands. We want to give you a huge opportunity to play,’” Turner noted.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, there is “a real reluctance” within Golden State to trade Kuminga despite Sacramento’s ongoing pursuit. Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé’s ties to the Warriors are seen as a factor in governor Joe Lacob’s hesitation to risk Kuminga blossoming with a division rival.
Sacramento reportedly floated an offer built around Malik Monk and a protected 2030 first-round pick in a sign-and-trade, which would have positioned Kuminga for a three-year, $63 million deal. Golden State rejected those terms, with draft pick protections standing as a key obstacle.
Kuminga is coming off his strongest season yet, averaging 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds while stepping into a larger role when Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green missed time. His growth has only strengthened his standing as both a vital contributor and a valuable trade chip.
The October 1 deadline looms for the qualifying offer, and Kuminga’s decision could determine his long-term trajectory. Signing the QO would provide him a no-trade clause for the season but put him on track for unrestricted free agency in 2026.
