The Golden State Warriors have essentially been handcuffed by Jonathan Kuminga this offseason. The contract dispute and negotiations surrounding the 22-year-old changed the course of their approach to free agency, and the team finally made their first moves of the “summer” on the eve of Media Day as training camp gets underway.
Kuminga Expected To Miss Start Of Warriors Training Camp
But there is no sign of the four-year pro who averaged 15.3 points last season. Kuminga has been notably absent for team-building events in the offseason, and is expected to be a no-show when the team officially meets for their first day of training camp on Tuesday.
Steph Curry on Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency: “When he’s here ready to work we expect him to be locked in on doing what he needs to do to help us win.” pic.twitter.com/0DGHVrzX5b
— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) September 29, 2025
How are the players in the locker room reacting to Kuminga’s complicated situation? Superstar guard Steph Curry shared his thoughts during his Media Day interviews on Monday:
“When he’s here and ready to work, we expect him to be locked in.”
According to league sources, Golden State has not pulled back any of the three proposals it previously extended to Kuminga. The biggest numbers on the table are a two-year package worth $45 million and a three-year agreement totaling $75.2 million, though each of those would give the franchise control over the final season.
Jonathan Kuminga, however, has shown little interest in scenarios where the Warriors hold the leverage on the back end unless the financial terms are sweetened.
Kuminga’s Contract Situation Is A Convoluted One
His representatives have pushed for at least one deal that includes a player option, viewing that as a gesture of trust after what they’ve described as years of uncertainty surrounding his role, uneven playing time under Steve Kerr, and the ongoing possibility of being shipped out in the middle of the season.
Warriors say Kerr won’t be speaking today. Neither will Dunleavy.
The Warriors have always had a very forward approach with PR. Never seen a media day — for any team — where the coach and GM don’t speak at the podium.
The Kuminga uncertainty hangs over everything.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) September 29, 2025
The key bargaining chip for Jonathan Kuminga is the $8 million qualifying offer that expires late Wednesday night. Accepting it would mean leaving more than $15 million on the table for next season, but it would also grant him a de facto no-trade clause and set him up to hit unrestricted free agency in 2026.
With at least 10 teams projected to have significant cap room that summer, Golden State faces the real possibility of watching its 2021 lottery pick walk away without compensation.
