WARRIORS REUNION: Golden State Ready to Pay $25M to Keep Versatile Wing Despite Butler Drama!
The Golden State Warriors are expected to extend Jonathan Kuminga the $7.9 million qualifying offer to retain his restricted free-agent rights, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks, setting up a complex offseason scenario for the versatile wing.
Marks predicted that Golden State will match any offer sheet Kuminga receives, with the Brooklyn Nets being the only team capable of offering a starting salary exceeding $20 million. However, Bleacher Report's Dan Favale identified a significant obstacle that could complicate potential sign-and-trade scenarios.
"Base-year-compensation gymnastics complicate any sign-and-trade possibilities unless the Nets are involved," Favale explained. "Kuminga will essentially count as only 50 percent of his new salary to the Warriors, yet his next team has to math out deals to account for the full weight of his new price point."
This NBA rule creates a challenging dynamic that likely forces Kuminga to remain with Golden State, at least through the February trade deadline when such complications would no longer apply.
The situation presents mixed emotions for both parties. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr benched Kuminga during crucial stretches of the regular season and limited his playoff minutes in the first round against Houston. However, when Stephen Curry suffered a hamstring injury in Game 1 against Minnesota, Kuminga responded with nearly 21 points per game in the second round.
Despite these flashes of brilliance, Kuminga's playing style doesn't seamlessly integrate with Kerr's offensive system, and Jimmy Butler's presence further limits available minutes. The 23-year-old forward has expressed interest in exploring opportunities elsewhere after four seasons with the organization that drafted him seventh overall in 2021.
"He's a guy who believes in himself, wants to see what he can do," Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy told The San Francisco Standard. "I think ultimately if we're able to bring him back, we see a path for him to be able to do some of those things here."
Unfortunately for Kuminga, the limited salary cap space across the league works against his free agency timing. The Warriors appear positioned to retain him at a reasonable price point before potentially revisiting trade scenarios closer to February's deadline.