ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported Friday that there have been “renewed” conversations between the Warriors and restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga.
Kuminga is one of the restricted free agents who remain on the board, and he and the Warriors have failed to come to an agreement on a deal. While it has been reported that the franchise has offered a two-year, $45 million contract with a team option, Kuminga and his representation feel that he would be little more than a “pawn” if he were to accept that deal. “Now, if you’re talking about a three-year deal, if you’re talking about something with a player option that shows him a little bit more commitment, that’s something he’d be interested in,” Slater said on ESPN’s NBA Today. “But as of now, the Warriors have been hesitant to do that, and because of that, Kuminga is signaling to those around him that he’s very willing – and prefers – (to sign) the qualifying offer over the two-year, $45MM deal. That’s dangerous for the Warriors. They can try to call his bluff, but right now, it seems to be trending toward the qualifying offer.” While accepting the qualifying offer would not protect Kuminga from being traded during the season, it would give him more say in his long-term future than accepting the two-year deal the Warriors have reportedly offered.