The Golden State Warriors are predicted to make a significant change during NBA free agency. Much has been made about Jonathan Kuminga’s future as the 22-year-old forward is headed for a significant raise.
Kuminga will be a restricted free agent when free agency starts on June 30, 2025, meaning Golden State has the opportunity to match any offer that the former lottery pick receives. The challenge is Golden State already faces significant financial challenges, even if Kuminga is not on the roster.
All this has Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus predicting that the Warriors will orchestrate a sign-and-trade for Kuminga. The insider labels the Chicago Bulls as a potential landing spot for the forward.
“The buzz from last offseason was that Kuminga wanted an extension starting in the $35 million range, greater than what the Warriors were willing to pay (perhaps no higher than $30 million),” Pincus wrote in a June 28, story titled, “Top 30 NBA Free Agent Predictions After Kyrie, VanVleet and Naz Reid Signings.” “After the Jimmy Butler trade, Kuminga struggled to stay healthy and found his role diminished.
“If the 22-year-old can find a team willing to give what he’s seeking, or close to what Golden State was willing to do last year, he’ll need an offer sheet as a restricted free agent. Another path is a sign-and-trade, but that’s complicated by multiple rules and the Warriors’ potential reluctance to spend under the new rules,” Pincus added.
“Prediction: The Warriors find a sign-and-trade with a team like the Chicago Bulls.”
Warriors Free Agent Jonathan Kuminga Projected to Land a New $100 Million Contract
It remains to be seen what Kuminga will command in NBA free agency. Regardless of the exact number, it appears to be a near certainty that Kuminga is headed for a much more lucrative deal than the four-year, $24.8 million rookie contract that the Warriors player just completed.
Sports Illustrated’s Kyler Fox estimated that Kuminga could land a new contract in the $100 to $120 million range. Former NBA executive Bobby Marks sees Kuminga’s value on the lower end of the projections. The ESPN analyst estimates Kuminga will land a three-year, $81 million deal.
“Projecting a new contract for Kuminga is like trying to master the Rubik’s Cube,” Marks detailed in a June 15, article titled, “NBA free agency 2025: Deals 10 stars should get this summer.”
“Like (Josh) Giddey, the 22-year-old is a restricted free agent and Golden State has leverage, considering the lack of available money teams have to offer in free agency,” Marks continued.
“However, unlike the Bulls guard, Kuminga’s fourth year was a roller coaster. He went from coming off the bench to start the season, to an undefined role after the Jimmy Butler trade, to averaging 21 points in the Warriors’ second-round loss to the Timberwolves.”
Warriors Rumors: A Sign-&-Trade Would Allow Golden State to Receive Something in Return for Jonathan Kuminga
As Marks outlined, the Warriors could be helped by the lack of competition in free agency with very few NBA teams possessing cap space. It is not a foregone conclusion that Golden State will not re-sign Kuminga.
With stars like Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler on the books, Golden State could opt to be more conservative and help broker a deal to find Kuminga a new home. A sign-and-trade would be beneficial as it allows the Warriors to receive something in return for Kuminga rather than letting the promising forward simply walk.
It also could open up more potential landing spots for Kuminga than just the franchises with cap space. The Warriors are likely rooting for a tepid market emerging for Kuminga, which would present an opportunity for Golden State to re-sign the former top-10 pick on a contract that is more affordable than the projections.
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