The Golden State Warriors and forward Jonathan Kuminga have reached an impasse. They remain far apart in contract negotiations and, perhaps even more pressing, face challenges from the collective bargaining agreement.
Anthony Slater of The Athletic reported on talks between the Warriors and Kuminga’s camp about a long-term deal structure.
However, that is all there has been, which only adds to the uncertainty around the situation.
“They haven’t really been close. There’s been no traction, and he’s going to explore the restrictive free agent market, with the Warriors understanding that they can look at various sign-and-trade scenarios. But there’s a lot of CBA mechanisms that make that really difficult. It’s called this base year compensation rule, that basically means the Warriors can only take back half of what they’re sending out. So, there’s a lot of complications here. But Jonathan Kuminga has high ambitions for himself,” Slater said on NBA TV’s “Free Agent Fever” on June 30.
“He wants to spread his wings, potentially be an All-Star. And the difficult challenge with him with the Warriors is that’s, in some ways, kind of blocked.”
Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists during the 2024-25 regular season. Moreover, Slater noted the former No. 7 overall pick (2021) stepped up when an injury sidelined Stephen Curry during the second round of the 2025 playoffs.
Kuminga is coming off a four-year, $24.8 million contract with the Warriors.
CBA Foiling Potential Bulls-Warriors Sign-&-Trade for Jonathan Kuminga
GettyJonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after a play against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Warriors appear to have a ready-made trade partner in the Chicago Bulls. However, Kuminga’s salary and Golden State’s financial situation as a team that would approach, if not cross, the luxury tax threshold in a sign-and-trade loom large.
Chicago Sports Network’s K.C. Johnson noted the hurdles from the Bulls’ perspective. Most notably, it clouds who they could send out in a potential trade with the Warriors for Kuminga.
He has also heard little chatter about trade talks gaining steam.
“I’m here to tell you that I have not heard any traction on a sign-and-trade deal to the Bulls. That’s not to say it won’t happen. I’m just saying that I have not heard it,” Johnson said on “The Fastbreak” on July 1.
“Let’s just say $25 million for a starting salary – he counts for $25 million going out to the team that he’s being traded to, and the Warriors can only take half that salary back in a trade. That would be $12.5 million, if my math’s correct. So, there goes the [Nikola] Vucevic contract. Does not fit in a base-year compensation trade with Jonathan Kuminga.” Coby White could fit, but I would be surprised if the Bulls trade Coby White for Jonathan Kuminga. So again, we’ll see where this goes, but that’s where things stand.”
The base year compensation rule does not exist in any other capacity beyond a sign-and-trade, putting Kuminga and the Warriors in a relatively rare spot.
“Base Year Compensation (BYC) is mostly an artifact of previous collective bargaining agreements. Its intent was to prevent teams from signing free agents to new contracts with salaries specifically intended to help facilitate trades,” NBA Salary Cap FAQ’s Larry Coon wrote. “The 2011 CBA mostly eliminated BYC — in fact, the term ‘Base Year Compensation’ was removed from the agreement entirely. The rules formerly known as BYC now apply under just one circumstance — during sign-and-trade transactions.”
Jonathan Kuminga’s Future as Uncertain as Ever
GettyJonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball during Game 5 of the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Speculation has surrounded the Bulls and Kuminga frequently amid the uncertainty around his future with the Warriors. However, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto wrote on June 16 that a return to Golden State is not out of the question.
Kuminga’s restricted free agent status is good news for the Warriors, who have the right of first refusal on any offer sheet he might sign this offseason.
They can also pay him more than any other team.
“It’s not easy to just necessarily right now get away from the Warriors, get the contract he wants, because the restrictive free agency market and the control that a team like the Warriors has over an asset that is still a young 22-year-old on the rise,” Slater said. “They have a lot of say in this. So, it’s just – it could figure itself out in the next few days, but this is also a situation, I believe, in this free agent period, that might drag out more than some of the other situations.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Warriors Face Unavoidable Hurdle in Potential Jonathan Kuminga Deal appeared first on Heavy Sports.