The Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga, after a months-long standoff, finally agreed to a new contract. The fifth-year forward signed a two-year extension worth $48.5 million and agreed to a team option in the second season.
Kuminga has made it known that he doesn’t want to be traded, especially in the middle of the season. His new contract contains no no-trade clause, however, so his future is in the Warriors‘ hands.
With teams like the Miami Heat interested in Kuminga, and Golden State reeling from a slow summer, the relationship between player and team may be patched for now, but the conflict is really only starting.
GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 10: Draymond Green #23 (left) speaks to Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors on the bench during their game against the New Orleans Pelicans in the first half at Chase Center on January 10, 2024 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors Expected to Trade Kuminga
Kuminga has made it clear that he values individual control over cash. The Warriors didn’t budge on giving him a player option, however. In his eyes, he is in a less-than-ideal situation.
The Warriors, it seems, are happy to take calls on their young star.
The mounting expectation,” wrote insider Jake Fischer for The Stein Line, “is that the Warriors will make Kuminga available in the trade market once he becomes eligible to be dealt on Jan. 15.”
The Warriors‘ relationship with Kuminga is “strained,” to say the least. On top of that, he isn’t the best 3-point shooter, and his two-way impact is heavily negated by Jimmy Butler. He is clearly expendable, and the Warriors could use him to fill a position of need on the trade market.
GettyJonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball during the first quarter of Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on May 14, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)
Kuminga Trade Rumors Are Predictable
The Warriors were offered several sign-and-trade packages this summer. Kuminga drew interest from the Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, and Heat.
Now that he’s signed through the next two seasons, the Warriors have an added degree of flexibility, and Kuminga doesn’t have to agree to go anywhere. The Warriors planned that all along.
“Golden State was steadfast from the jump that the final year in either a two- or three-year contract structure must be a team option and proved equally stubborn with its demand in a two-year deal that Kuminga had to waive his right to block any trade that materializes this season as a One-Year Bird,” Fischer added.
Kuminga won’t be put on the market until January 15, so he will have two and a half months of regular-season play to establish his value in Golden State. The prevailing opinion is that he won’t be given a chance to stick around.
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