Jonathan Kuminga was once touted as the future of the Golden State Warriors. But as free agency unfolds this year, his next move isn’t so clear-cut. While trade rumors swirl and his camp eyes a massive new contract, one NBA insider believes the market might not be ready to meet those expectations.
Now, the Warriors, quietly optimistic, may have the leverage. What comes next for the 2021 No. 7 overall pick could surprise everyone watching free agency closely.
Warriors Hopeful About Jonathan Kuminga Return Amid Weak Market
Kuminga’s future in Golden State has been a hot topic this offseason, but according to ESPN’s Marc J. Spears, the Warriors might just have the upper hand.
“There seems to be optimism in the Warriors camp that he will re-sign,” Spears said during the NBA Today Free Agency Special. “His market is not in great form. And one NBA GM told me, he’s like, ‘What has he proven to be worth what his agent wants, which is 25-plus million dollars? Who has that money for him? Why does he deserve that?’“
Marc Spears on Kuminga: “There seems to be optimism in the Warriors camp that he will re-sign” pic.twitter.com/d5sFyGvn8V
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) June 30, 2025
The comment from the unnamed GM paints a stark picture of how league executives view Kuminga’s current value. Despite showing flashes of high-level talent, Spears suggested teams aren’t lining up to meet Kuminga’s steep contract demands.
“But then on a flip side,” Spears continued, “if he returns, what’s his role? If I am Jonathan, I am in a really weird spot right now. The money is not here this summer, maybe next summer, but in a way there’s a lot of question marks.”
The Warriors extended a $7.9 million qualifying offer to Kuminga, making him a restricted free agent. This move gives the franchise the right to match any offer he receives from other teams. While Kuminga had been hoping for a deal that could reach $30 million annually, potentially making him the third-highest-paid Warrior behind Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, his current standing in the league hasn’t quite justified that number.
Kuminga’s Unclear Role With Warriors Fueled Trade Rumors
Kuminga’s desire for a larger role is no secret. He entered the 2024-25 season with promise, and at times, he delivered. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 47 regular-season games. But his season was marred by a significant ankle injury that kept him out of action for long stretches.
Late in the year, his minutes dipped, especially with Butler taking on a larger role. Kuminga missed key games, including the regular-season finale and Play-In Tournament matchup, only deepening the questions about his fit on a veteran-heavy Warriors roster.
Still, when the lights were brightest, Kuminga answered the call. In the final three games of the 2025 Western Conference Semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he averaged 26.3 points on 51.9% shooting. With Curry sidelined, he was the team’s most reliable scorer, flashing the two-way potential that made him the No. 7 pick in 2021.
That stretch may be what keeps trade discussions alive. The Chicago Bulls have been linked to Kuminga in sign-and-trade rumors. Players like Nikola Vučević and Coby White could be part of a potential deal, but any offer would need to be rich enough to discourage the Warriors from matching it.
Yet, as Spears implied, that kind of offer might not be coming.
Golden State may ultimately retain Kuminga, not because he fits perfectly, but because the market doesn’t see him as a $25–30 million player just yet. The young forward now finds himself in a strange limbo. He is too good to let walk for nothing, but not quite established enough to land the big payday he’s hoping for.
