According to NBA insider Tim MacMahon, “He’s miserable. He doesn’t want to be in Golden State.” This is the reason why we are seeing Jonathan Kuminga drawn in a stalemate with the Warriors. This has affected them, making any other additions as the current roster stands at just 9 players. Despite reported offers of up to $75 million over three years, JK is holding firm and looks to accept the qualifying offer to control his future.

But even that move is not going to bring the expected results for the Congolese forward. Currently, he can sign a one-year, $7.9 million qualifying offer by the October 1st deadline and come back next season without giving the Warriors long-term guarantees. If the team doesn’t get the guarantee, then the 22-year-old also doesn’t get it, according to Sam Vecenie. By not putting pen to paper on the $75 million deal, JK is losing out $67 million.

“Let’s call it 67 million over the next two seasons, which means you need Jonathan Kuminga to make $35 million a year basically in free agency after taking the qualifying offer, after you’ve screwed Golden State by taking the qualifying offer. So they will have no connection to you whatsoever if you do this. Like, they will have no reason to feature you,” Vecenie said bluntly, making a solid point. Multiple times last year, the 23-year-old was out of the starting rotation. But the team showed faith in their young star.

That won’t be the case going forward, since Jonathan Kuminga will walk away from the Golden State without any burden if he accepts the qualifying offer. “They will have no reason to like really give you the chance to like, go out and go nuts and ball. I do not think that agency and Jonathan Kuminga has the leverage that they think they have in this circumstance. And I think taking a qualifying offer would be cutting off, you know, your nose to spite your face basically,” Vecenie concluded on the latest episode of Game Theory Podcast.

Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, has made it clear that a $7.9 million qualifying offer that keeps his client in Golden State until 2026 would not be “a good feeling.” Further adding to why the player and the camp are making such demands. “So, part of it is you’re going to have to sacrifice your game from where other people would allow you to do for now his fifth year. In addition to that, he might get traded. He knows that. We know that. They know that.”

There is no doubt that Jonathan Kuminga still brings value to the team despite his uncertain role. Like averaging 24.2 points in the final four games, without Stephen Curry in the series against Minnesota. So, the agent wants clarity and a guarantee of minutes if they sign the long-term contract. For now, the Warriors are just offering three years and $75.2 million, including a team option in the third year. But the sides are still not coming to an agreement.

Can this Jonathan Kuminga saga come to a close?

As the front office tries to find a solution, its roster planning is on hold. Reports link the Warriors to veterans like Al Horford and other efficient role players like De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II, who could provide much-needed depth once Kuminga’s future is settled. In the meantime, options such as Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Dalano Banton have been brought in for workouts at Chase Center. But there is no resolution. In fact, previously, even the owner tried to smooth the talks.

Owner Joe Lacob flew to Miami for an in-person meeting with Kuminga and the agent, and they asked a very straightforward question. “Do you want to be here?” The exchange reportedly flipped back on ownership when Kuminga answered, “Do you even want me here?” Once again proving that JK is very cautious about the move that he will make. Along the way, he has already rejected a two-year $45 million contract, and now he holds the cards.

Jonathan Kuminga doesn’t mind staying. He is willing to help Stephen Curry in his last window to compete for a championship. However, the 22-year-old also wishes to have some security and a “bigger role” with the team. But the HC Kerr already made it clear that winning lineups would always take priority, even if it meant shelving Kuminga for spacing reasons. Plus, JK knows that the Warriors seemingly have every intention of trading him the moment they receive an offer they consider worth his value. That’s why we are at an impasse, with less than 10 days for the training camp.