Jonathan Kuminga is officially a restricted free agent, Anthony Slater of The Athletic reports.
On Saturday, June 28, the Golden State Warriors have “officially tendered the $7.9 million qualifying offer” to Kuminga, ahead of Monday’s free agency kickoff.
The 22-year-old forward can field offer sheets from other teams, which the Warriors have the right to match. However, with only the Brooklyn Nets having the cap room to tender a rich offer sheet to Kuminga, the Warriors have a greater chance to keep him or sign-and-trade him.
In May, Slater reported that the Nets are not expected to go after Kuminga in free agency.
“There is not a current expectation that the Brooklyn Nets are preparing an offer sheet for Kuminga, but there are signs Brooklyn could be willing to use its open cap space as a vehicle to execute multi-team trade scenarios this summer, league sources said,” Slater wrote. “That could open up several avenues and possible suitors for Kuminga, one of the market’s most intriguing names.”
Jonathan Kuminga’s Sign-and-Trade Market Shapes Up
Getty Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors dunks the ball on Kevin Love of the Miami Heat.
Multiple reports point to at least three teams that have interest in acquiring Kuminga via sign-and-trade.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported on June 23 that the Warriors are “seemingly certain to receive sign-and-trade approaches for restricted free agent-to-be Jonathan Kuminga.”
Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto identified two of those three teams that have interest in Kuminga.
“The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are two teams to monitor as potential sign-and-trade candidates for Kuminga, league sources told HoopsHype. With that in mind, the Warriors have also not ruled out the possibility of retaining Kuminga, sources said,” Scotto wrote.
Sam Amick of The Athletic named the Sacramento Kings as the third team, citing league sources.
If they’re going to pay that sort of freight, it’s quite clear, it will be for a younger player who can be a long-term part of their picture. To that end, league sources say the Kings are among the teams that have interest in Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga and will be monitoring his market when his restricted free agency begins. And while it appears unlikely that Kuminga will ultimately come their way, it speaks to the vision, and the range of possibilities here, that they’re even focusing on players of that ilk.
Steve Kerr Sends Clear Message
Getty Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr shakes hands with Jonathan Kuminga.
Kuminga ended the season with a scoring flurry after averaging 24.3 points on 55.4% overall shooting and 38.9% from the 3-point line in their playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves to show what he can do with the ball in his hands.
The 22-year-old is “looking for an expanded and consistent role moving forward,” Scotto noted. However, that will not happen in Golden State as coach Steve Kerr has made himself clear he can’t do that with the current makeup of the team and their win-now window.
“I’ve been asked to win,” Kerr told The San Francisco Standard’s Tim Kawakami on “The TK Show” on Wednesday, May 21. “And right now, he’s not a guy who I can say, I’m going to play 38 minutes with the roster we have, Steph [Curry], Jimmy [Butler], and Draymond [Green], and put the puzzle together that way and expect to win.”
Kuminga going elsewhere via sign-and-trade is the most plausible scenario this offseason.
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