Jonathan Kuminga Locks in $48.5 Million Deal With Warriors

Jonathan Kuminga is sticking with Golden State, at least for now. The 22-year-old forward agreed to a two-year, $48.5 million contract with the Warriors on Tuesday afternoon, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal includes a team option designed “to be ripped up and renegotiated next summer,” giving both sides flexibility after a tense standoff that dragged on for months.

Kuminga reportedly turned down a three-year offer worth around $75 million, opting instead for shorter security that keeps control of his immediate future in his hands. He will be eligible to be traded in January, and league executives still believe the Warriors will explore the market.

Golden State drafted Kuminga seventh overall in 2021, just ahead of Franz Wagner. While Wagner blossomed into an All-Star before injuries, Kuminga’s growth has been more uneven. Over the past two seasons, he has averaged 15.8 points on 50 percent shooting, along with 4.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists.

But his flashes of brilliance keep the Warriors intrigued. When Stephen Curry was sidelined during last year’s Western Conference semifinals, Kuminga averaged 24.3 points in four games against Minnesota on 55 percent from the field and 39 percent from three.

Despite that, he fell completely out of Golden State’s playoff rotation in their first-round loss to Houston, fueling speculation about his long-term role. With Jimmy Butler now in San Francisco and sharing the same position, playing time remains a looming question.

For his part, Kuminga has been clear about what he wants.

“Things take time, but I feel like I’m at the point where that has to be my priority, to just be one of the guys a team relies on,” Kuminga told The Athletic. “Aiming to be an All-Star. Multiple times. Aiming to be great. … Wherever I’m going to be at, it don’t matter if it’s the Warriors or if it’s anywhere else, it’s something I want. I want to see what I could do. I know I got it. So I want to really see. I’ve never got that chance.”