SHOCK: Kuminga is valued MUCH MORE than the Timberwolves star!
The Golden State Warriors are facing a tricky situation with young forward Jonathan Kuminga, as contract negotiations remain at a standstill. Kuminga, a restricted free agent, is looking for a significant raise, and the Warriors seem hesitant to meet his demands just yet.
Kuminga’s Demands and the Warriors’ Position
Kuminga has made it clear he believes he’s poised for a breakout, and his contract expectations reflect that. He’s reportedly seeking a three-year deal worth around $82 million. This is a substantial jump from the $7.9 million qualifying offer the Warriors extended, and even from their subsequent offer of a two-year, $45 million contract, both of which he’s turned down. The Warriors, understandably, are trying to balance rewarding a promising player with maintaining financial flexibility.
Jonathan Kuminga
Position: SF, PF Age: 22 Height: 203 cm Weight: 95 kg Birth place: Congo (Republic of the)
An Executive Weighs In
The impasse is drawing attention around the league. One anonymous NBA executive, speaking with The Athletic, suggested Kuminga might be worth even more than he’s asking. In fact, they stated they’d be willing to offer him a five-year, $125 million contract. That’s a bold statement, and it comes with a compelling comparison: Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels.
“McDaniels is great in his role, but J.K. is more talented and has higher upside if he ever can hit,” the executive explained. This highlights the belief that Kuminga possesses a higher ceiling, particularly if he can consistently develop his outside shot. McDaniels is a valuable 3-and-D player, but Kuminga’s potential as a primary scorer is clearly intriguing to some teams.
The Impact on the Warriors’ Offseason
This contract standoff isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s effectively frozen the Warriors’ other offseason plans. They are currently the only team in the NBA that hasn’t signed or traded a player this summer, all while other teams are actively reshaping their rosters. Until the Kuminga situation is resolved, Golden State will likely remain on the sidelines.
Looking at the numbers, Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 47 games last season, playing just over 24 minutes a night. While McDaniels averaged 12.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in a much larger role, starting all 82 games and averaging nearly 32 minutes. The difference in opportunity is significant, but the executive’s comments suggest they see Kuminga’s raw potential as exceeding McDaniels’.
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