NBA Rumors: Warriors reluctant to offer $224-million deal for high-ceiling forward amid failed Lauri Markkanen and PG trades
Jonathan Kuminga showed potential in the Warriors' lineup as a young player, particularly with the aging of Steph Curry and Draymond Green. Nevertheless, there are whispers that his tenure with the team might take a halt.
With how Golden State came up short in possibly landing Paul George or Lauri Markkanen before they signed their deals in the offseason, the team's front office is rumored to be reluctant to give the forward his max extension. The Athletic's Anthony Slater reported on the matter through his sources.
"The Warriors aren't currently prepared to give Kuminga a max extension (like the five-year, $224-million deal Franz Wagner got from the Orlando Magic that will start at 25 percent of the cap) or anything that stretches too close to that $44.8 million annual salary," the report said.
Kuminga was drafted seventh overall by the organization in 2021 and has already played three seasons with the franchise. He has steadily improved season after season, with his highest-ever scoring average of 16.1 points per game coming in 2023-24.
The Golden State Warriors acquired talented role players over the offseason, including Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson, and De'Anthony Melton. Brandin Podziemski was also a consistent contributor last season, despite being a rookie in the league.
Warriors GM's previous comments regarding Jonathan Kuminga's future along with Moses Moody
In an interview with The Athletic's Tim Kawakami, Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. shed light on what the team's vision is regarding Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody's future with the team moving forward.
"I think we want those guys here long term," Dunleavy said in June. "So having them extension-eligible certainly lends toward trying to make something work.
"I think going through everything we're going through now with the draft and free agency, we will get to that. But that doesn't mean those guys aren't the priorities. There's just some other stuff going right now." [via Yahoo Sports].
The franchise is in the middle of a transitional phase after being accustomed to its dynasty era with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Thompson has taken his talents to Dallas and the tandem of Curry and Green won't last forever.
This has led to a challenging period for the organization as they look to work around the final years of Curry's time in the NBA before he hangs up the jersey. It involves surrounding him with the proper pieces to contend for another deep postseason run and some tough roster decisions along the way.