Live on August 16th: During this year’s off-season, Kuminga and the Warriors have not been able to reach a consensus on their contract renewal. According to previous reports, the two sides have not been in communication for a long time.
Today, the ESPN Warriors team participated in ESPN’s “NBA Today” program to discuss the progress of negotiations between the two sides.
Currently, both sides have reopened dialogue. There is indeed communication, but as you know, just having dialogue doesn’t necessarily mean progress in negotiations.
Over the past week, starting from the last weekend, both sides have once again communicated about contract proposals and their views on the entire negotiation process. However, Kuminga is seeking a contract that is more beneficial to the player, and he hopes that the team can send a signal through the contract that he is a cornerstone of the team, not just a trading chip. The statements I have heard from Kuminga are that he doesn’t want to be a pawn of the team.”
“He has consistently refused to sign the contract offered by the Warriors, which is for two years, worth $45 million with a team option. Under this contract, he would be clearly just a tool or trading chip for the team during the mid-season, which he is not willing to accept. He would be interested if there was a three-year contract or one with player options, which would make him feel more sincere from the team. But so far, the Warriors have been unwilling to offer Kuminga such a contract.”
Because of this, Kuminga has told people around him that he currently prefers and tends to accept the qualifying offer rather than the two-year $45 million contract. This is dangerous for the Warriors.
The Warriors may gamble that Kuminga is just bluffing. But so far, it seems that things are moving in the direction of Kuminga accepting the qualifying offer.”
Off-season of NBA 2025