This offseason for the Golden State Warriors was supposed to be headlined by high-profile acquisitions. However, instead, their summer has been defined by the front office’s standoff against Jonathan Kuminga. Despite us being months into free agency, the Dubs have failed to come to terms with the 22-year-old forward. The situation is complicatedly poised. On one hand, Kuminga is a young star who has shown potential and simply wants control over his future and a defined role in the roster. On the other, the Warriors have given no indication that they plan to use him as anything but a trade asset for roster improvement, which is understandable, considering the timeline of the rest of the team.

Well, it’s not like the front office hasn’t tried to solve this situation, as they’ve offered JK a couple of offers, such as a two-year $45 million and a three-year $75 million deal, with the $7.9 million QO still on the table. However, both of these deals carry a team option for the final year, something the forward wants to be changed to a player option. And well, it seems as if the Warriors veterans want the front office to bow down to JK’s demands.

NBA Insider, Brett Siegel, revealed that all three of the Warriors’ superstars want to see JK happy and with the team next season. “Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler have been advocating for the Warriors to make Jonathan Kuminga happy, per @BrettSiegelNBA.” Over the past few weeks, the soon-to-be Hall of Famers, especially Curry and Draymond Green, have been communicating to the Warriors front office that they must agree to a deal with Jonathan Kuminga. 

They want the 22-year-old, six-foot-seven star back within the team for his athleticism, durability, and production. This shouldn’t come as a massive surprise because last season, despite playing just 47 regular-season games, Kuminga managed to average 15.3 points along with 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists. Moreover, he will also be a great replacement for Jimmy Butler at the forward position, given the superstar’s terrible injury record. So, it only seems right that the Warriors’ superstars have cleared their stance on the forward. But will the Warriors be able to close a deal with Kuminga?

As things stand, the 22-year-old forward inking the $7.9 million qualifying offer seems to be a real possibility. However, while it will provide Kuminga with the freedom to pick his next move, it’ll cost him a whopping $50 million in salaries. That’s something his Golden State teammates Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and even Jimmy Butler don’t want. In fact, the veteran trio has cleared their stance on this ongoing tussle between the franchise and Jonathan Kuminga.

However, what choice doe he have? It is clear Kuminga does not want to be used primarily as a trade asset. He wants the player option and previously wanted the no-trade clause which is only part of the QO out of the three offers, because he believes that will allow him to have a say on where he ends up. For a player negotiating an extension, the primary focus should obviously not be ensuring that the team he is negotiating with trades him as soon as they get the chance.

The Warriors rejected sign-and-trade offers this offseason because they held out for better offers. They want JK on a team-friendly deal because they want to trade him away for assets they can actually use to improve the roster with players that better match their veteran stars’ timelines. Kuminga has found leverage simply because the Warriors have laid out their cards on the table, and it is clear that they do not view him as a long-term piece for the team.

Jonathan Kuminga has chosen long-term clarity over short-term salary

Well, there’s no doubt that Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler want Jonathan Kuminga as their teammate, but they don’t call the shots. So, where does the 22-year-old’s negotiations stand with the front office? Right now, as we’ve mentioned, the best deal on the table for a former first-round pick is the three-year $75 million deal, including a team option for the final year. However, Kuminga and his team don’t want to sign any deal with a team option.

This leaves both parties where they started. But with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green now showing their support, the front office might be willing to up their offer. Kuminga’s agent has already stated that they haven’t rejected any of the offers made by the Golden State Warriors, but if they want to add a team option, it must come at a cost. So, if the Dubs offer more money, then there’s a good chance that JK would accept the deal.

However, the cash-strapped Warriors may as well continue to hold out, with the more likely option looking to be them giving up the player option for the final year to Kuminga. That will give him the assurance and control he’s been looking for. Lastly, another and worst-case scenario could be Kuminga signing the qualifying offer. Either way, a decision is about to come our way pretty soon, with the qualifying offer’s deadline being October 1st.

Unless we see the Warriors upping the stakes and actually putting money where their mouth is, the expectation is that JK will simply get a deal that gives him maximum control over where he ends up next. So, the clock is ticking, as everyone awaits Jonathan Kuminga’s final decision.