Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga drama could be nearing its end

The Jonathan Kuminga-Warriors situation could finally have a resolution soon.

The talented forward, who is still a restricted free agent as training camp looms before the end of September, is weighing Golden State’s $7.9 million qualifying offer for the 2025-26 season after contract extension negotiations hit a standstill.

His agent, Aaron Turner, told the “Hoop Collective” podcast on Friday that Kuminga is prepared to take the one-year deal if the Warriors do not adjust their offer to include a player option.

The Warriors have reportedly presented three contract offers to Kuminga: a three-year, $75.2 million deal with a team option for the third year, a two-year, $45 million deal with a team option for the second year and a three-year, $54 million deal without options.

Kuminga has rejected all of these offers.

It appears that the former G League Ignite standout wants either more money, more agency — in the name of a player option over a team option — or both.

If he accepts the qualifying offer, Kuminga would earn $7.9 million for one season while becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2026.

In doing so, Kuminga would take a massive pay cut relative to each offer, but in exchange, he’d get a no-trade clause and the ability to sign with any team he wants in a year.

In 2026, the expectation is that at least six teams will have available cap space, and of course, a sign-and-trade could, in theory, open up more possibilities.

Kuminga reportedly hasn’t been happy in Golden State for a while, which at one point boiled over into a public feud with Steve Kerr over issues regarding playing time and his role.

Injuries limited Kuminga to 47 games last season, but he averaged north of 15 points per game for a second straight year, and did so in just over 24 minutes per game.

Kuminga, despite entering the playoffs out of the postseason rotation, became a fixture by necessity in Golden State’s offense in their trip to the Western Conference semifinals.

Notably, he stepped up to average 24.3 points in the second round against the vaunted Timberwolves defense in the four games Stephen Curry missed due to a left hamstring strain.

Kuminga, who turns 23 in October, was selected No. 7 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft and is entering his fifth NBA season this fall.