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An NBA executive has revealed how much they would be willing to pay Jonathan Kuminga, as his Golden State Warriors contract saga has reached a stalemate.
Jonathan Kuminga looks set on leaving the Golden State Warriors after the two parties have been unable to reach an agreement on his contract extension. Kuminga turned down the Warriors’ offer of two years for $45 million, and said the team “stunted his growth,” according to reports.
The young talent’s apparent availability has attracted attention around the NBA. The Sacramento Kings have tried to trade for Kuminga to no avail, so he’ll likely become a free agent in 2026.
That will create a bidding war next summer, and an NBA executive has already declared what they would be willing to pay.
NBA executive said they would give Jonathan Kuminga $125 million
An anonymous NBA executive told The Athletic that they would be willing to pay Kuminga $125 million over five years. That’s $80 million more than the Warriors have offered over three more seasons.
The Warriors aim to minimize their long-term salary commitments as they target a high-profile free agent in 2027. That explains why they are unwilling to offer Kuminga any more than a two-year deal.
They are also unwilling to offer him a no-trade clause, suggesting they are willing to move him midseason. However, the Warriors won’t trade Moses Moody or Buddy Hield, which has led them to reject the Kings’ trade offer.
But the anonymous executive would be willing to commit to Kuminga long-term, despite him averaging only 15 points last season. He went on to compare him to an All-Defensive player who was paid $131 million.
NBA executive compares Jonathan Kuminga to Jaden McDaniels
The executive went on to compare Kuminga to Minnesota Timberwolves star defender Jaden McDaniels. McDaniels penned a five-year, $131 million contract in 2023.
The NBA executive said, “McDaniels is great in his role, but J.K. is more talented and has higher upside if he ever can hit.”
Kuminga has shown flashes of potential on the offensive end. In 2024, he had eight straight games scoring over 20 points, including a 31-point night against Sacramento.
However, McDaniels has proven year over year that he’s one of the NBA’s elite defenders. He was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team in 2024 and has matched up well with the league’s best wings.
Head Coach Steve Kerr showed little faith in Kuminga last season. He barely played down the stretch and was only trusted with on-court time when Stephen Curry was injured in the playoffs.
But it seems there is a market out there for him, and he’ll get an opportunity to prove himself outside of Golden State.
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