Reports: Jonathan Kuminga Offered $90 Million By Western Conference Team

Jonathan Kuminga is driving a hard bargain as a restricted free agent with the Golden State Warriors.

Reports: Jonathan Kuminga Offered $90 Million By Western Conference Team

Jonathan Kuminga (Image via Instagram)

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When the Golden State Warriors lost Stephen Curry to a hamsting strain in Game 1 against Minnesota, a lot of fans believed they had no chance of winning without him. This was borne out by how the other games of the series turned out without Curry. However, the Warriors did find a bright spot of sorts in the process. Jonathan Kuminga put together a really good run of four games as the team’s No. 1 offensive option.

However, in the same process, Jonathan Kuminga also priced himself out of a return to the Warriors. His run as the first option on their offense saw him put together a 20 ppg average as a starter. But coach Steve Kerr has not been happy with Kuminga’s offensive mindset, saying as much on many occasions in his four seasons as a Warrior. And the front office has now reached an impasse with him in contract talks.

The 22-year-old backs himself to be able to land a contract in excess of $30 million annually. The Warriors are financially committed to their core trio of Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler and Curry. Giving him a contract of that size would essentially hamper their ability to make roster moves and add roster flexibility. It is clear that they would rather trade him after he signs a contract, even though they’ve been at the table.

The latest reports suggest that one of the teams in pursuit of Kuminga is the Phoenix Suns. The Suns did a hard reset this summer, trading Kevin Durant and waiving Bradley Beal as they cleared house. Their roster now has a glut of wing talent, but no real youngsters ready to rub off Devin Booker’s offense. This is why they seem to be in pursuit of Kuminga, according to the latest rumors on NBA Twitter.

Suns GM Brian Gregory is rumored to have offered a 4-year, $90 million contract to the Congolese player. The Warriors, at the time of writing, had only given Kuminga a 2-year offer around $45 million with a team option. When the Suns put in their official offer to the youngster, the Warriors will have a short window to either match the deal or lose him in free agency. It is likely that they will let him go, but only in a sign-and-trade.

Would Jonathan Kuminga move the needle for the Phoenix Suns?

Jonathan Kuminga would instantly be a top athlete on the Phoenix Suns alongside Jalen Green. Both are products of the G-League Ignite program and have been deemed as misfits at various points of their rookie contracts. However, both of them also have similar shortcomings on offense and on defense.

Steve Kerr has no better opportunity than to unleash Jonathan Kuminga
Steve Kerr, Jonathan Kuminga (Image via 95.7 The Game/X)

Many Warriors fans point to Kuminga losing track of his defensive assignments and not being able to play help defense after being forced to adjust to blow-bys on the perimeter. They also point to his unwillingness to move the ball and get it to Stephen Curry as the main option, instead choosing to be a ball pounder and try to get his own shot up.

These are criticisms that players have grown out of quite often. Whether Kuminga is one of those players depends entirely on how he is coaches at his new team. Steve Kerr looked to have been done with the Kuminga experience by the end of the regular season, judging from the minutes he played.

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