Reports: Jonathan Kuminga Seeking $30 Million/Year Extension From Warriors

Former #7 pick Jonathan Kuminga is seeking an extension worth over $30 million annually after a good playoff run.

Reports: Jonathan Kuminga Seeking $30 Million/Year Extension From Warriors

Jonathan Kuminga (Image via Instagram)

The Golden State Warriors are in win-now mode for perhaps the last time in a long time. They have had a legendary run, winning four NBA titles in the past decade. The team redefined basketball and brought in a whole horde of new fans to the sport. But the time is waning on Steph Curry and Draymond Green to win another championship. Jonathan Kuminga may not be on the roster to help them pursue this.

Steph Curry had his playoff run ended prematurely with an injury that ruled him out of their second round series. Jimmy Butler was expected to shoulder the lion’s share of the scoring load, but the former Heat star is no longer a viable first option on offense. He was unable to generate constant separation as he once was able to in Bulls, 76ers, Wolves and Heat colors. They needed a changeup, and Kuminga provided it.

Jonathan Kuminga was brought back into the starting lineup by head coach Steve Kerr from Game 2. He proceeded to drop over 18 points in each of the final four games of the series. He was by far the best player on the Dubs’ offense as Buddy Hield and Draymond Green were unable to pull their weight either. This performance has now put the front office in a spot of bother, pondering whether to extend his contract.

After all, Kuminga may be the one who can make the front office pay for not believing in him. He was drafted after his stint with G-League Ignite due to his elite athletic traits and takeover mentality. But it is not clear whether the Dubs want to use him as a secondary scorer alongside Curry. Steve Kerr has often been critical of Kuminga, pointing out how he’s not a willing mover of the ball on many occasions.

The newest reports suggest that Jonathan Kuminga is now looking for a contract worth over $30 million annually. Kuminga’s demands would seem unreasonable on face value – after all, he isn’t even a regular starter on a playoff team yet. However, he holds a strong negotiating position with the Warriors’ front office after his final four games for the team.

The Sacramento Kings and the Miami Heat could both be players in a Jonathan Kuminga trade

Sacramento and Miami are two teams that will both need strong swingman presences in order to be playoff teams. The Kings were said to be interested in Kuminga according to the latest reports. Pat Riley and the Miami Heat are also in play according to the same reports:

Jonathan Kuminga
Jonathan Kuminga (FS Image)

League sources say the Kings are among the teams that have interest in Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga and will be monitoring his market when his restricted free agency begins. And while it appears unlikely that Kuminga will ultimately come their way, it speaks to the vision, and the range of possibilities here, that they’re even focusing on players of that ilk.

Anyone who’s followed Kuminga over his four-year NBA career can tell that he has all the tools to be a first option in the league. However, he needs to be on a team that gives him an extended run as a starter and tailors its offense to get the best out of him. The Steve Kerr motion offense system isn’t something he can thrive on, at least with his current skillset.

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