Inside The Warriors

Draymond Green's Optimistic Response to Jonathan Kuminga’s Negotiation Drama

Draymond Green took to social media to speak on the ongoing stalemate between the Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga.
Matt Guzman|
October 30, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) listens to forward Draymond Green (23) during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
October 30, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) listens to forward Draymond Green (23) during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

In this story:

Golden State Warriors

If there's one party with optimism about a potential conclusion to the Golden State Warriors' stalemate with Jonathan Kuminga, it's Draymond Green.

"Negotiations are rarely easy," Green wrote on Threads in response to a fan Monday afternoon, "but they usually get done in the end."

Screenshot from Draymond Green (@money23green) on Threads.
Screenshot from Draymond Green (@money23green) on Threads.

Green Speaks on Kuminga

Since the offseason began, Golden State and Kuminga have been locked in a stalemate over a new contract. On the table is a qualifying offer that neither wants to take; Kuminga, with higher role expectations, would rather find a new team, and the Warriors would rather a return via trade.

So far, neither option has appeared easier to achieve than the other.

"Kuminga, league sources said, still has visions of becoming an All-Star," The Athletic's Anthony Slater (now with ESPN) wrote of Golden State's holdout with Kuminga near the start of the offseason. "Not fitting into an ever-moving mid-tier rotation role."

In order to achieve such a role, Kuminga would have to crack Steve Kerr's rotation, but since Jimmy Butler III's arrival, that's proved more difficult than advertised.

Amid a minutes decrease for his teammate, Stephen Curry propped up Kuminga.

“That’s tough for any player, let alone a young guy who’s trying to figure it out in the league. So I commend him on just staying ready,” Curry said. “See what he did in the last couple of games. That’s not easy to do, not knowing if your number’s gonna be called, and then go out there and perform.”

Last year, Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across 47 games. He shot 45.4 percent from the field and 30.5 percent from 3. Still, he feels he brings more to the table.

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) shoots the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half dur
May 8, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) shoots the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half during Game 2 of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. | Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Kuminga's pride is what looms over ongoing negotiations, which hit a head in mid-August during an in-person meeting between the forward, his agent, Warriors owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy.

"Do you even want me here?" Kuminga asked the Warriors' brass, per a report by ESPN.

Golden State had the same question for Kuminga. A month later — with only two weeks remaining until training camp — the question still looms. And only Green seems to know the answer.

At the very least, he has optimism.

“Obviously, (Kuminga) has got the contract situation," Green said. "Always wishing him the best with that. I’ve been in that situation. Whether it’s here or elsewhere, I just wish him the best.”

Related Articles

New Report on Team Interested in Jonathan Kuminga Trade

New Report on Klay Thompson's True Feelings on Jordan Poole

Celtics Star Named Potential Dream Target for Warriors

Published
Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He serves as a credentialed reporter and site manager for San Antonio Spurs On SI and a staff writer for multiple collegiate sites in the same network. In the world of professional sports, he is a firm believer that athletes are people, too, and intends to tell stories of players and teams’ true, behind-the-scenes character that otherwise would not be seen through strong narrative writing, hooking ledes and passionate words.

Home/News