Kuminga Wanted More Money, So Renewal Failed; Warriors Now Willing to Include Him in Major Trade

November 2, 2023, according to reports, there were significant differences in contract negotiations between Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors.

According to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, citing league sources, the gap in negotiations was about $5 million. Kuminga aimed for an annual salary of around $35 million, while the Warriors’ highest offer was approximately $30 million per year. Ultimately, a deal was not reached, and Kuminga will now bet on his fourth NBA season.

Moreover, due to the failure to reach a new rookie contract extension by the October 22 deadline, Kuminga’s future with the Warriors has become more uncertain than ever.

This week, after starting the first three games of the season, Kuminga was moved to the bench. Journalist Sam Amick noted that Kuminga was “clearly unhappy” with this change. However, in the two games since the move, Kuminga played more minutes and scored higher, recording 17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in one game, and 16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal in the other.

According to Sam Amick, rival executives now believe that the Golden State Warriors are “more willing than ever” to include Kuminga in a major trade, as the team still hopes to acquire a high-value player. Amick cited sources saying that a player to watch is Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, who attracted the Warriors’ interest during the offseason and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer after not signing an extension with Miami.

In five games this season, Kuminga averages 23 minutes per game, shooting 40.8% from the field, and scoring 11.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.