Jonathan Kuminga Reportedly Preparing to Sign New Warriors Contract: Why It's Bad News

On Thursday, restricted free agent guard Cam Thomas signed a $6 million qualifying offer to stay with the Brooklyn Nets for the 2025-26 season. Now, many fans are wondering which NBA player will be next.

Jonathan Kuminga, Josh Giddey, and Quentin Grimes all sit in similar situations with their respective teams, looking to negotiate a new contract, while the tempting qualifying offer sits on the table. The Golden State Warriors have been having trouble finding an agreement with Kuminga, and the 22-year-old forward continues to consider taking his one-year, $7.9 million qualifying offer.

Kuminga preparing to sign QO

The Warriors and Kuminga are still reportedly far apart on their contract negotiations, but the free agent forward is ready to be done with this situation.

May 12, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) stands on the court before a play against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel reported on Thursday that Kuminga is preparing to sign the qualifying offer, as he simply wants to end these talks unless the Warriors change their offer.

"There haven't been any indications suggesting that the Warriors are thinking of changing their offer, and unless they do so over the course of the next week, Kuminga is prepared to end talks and accept his qualifying offer, league sources said," Siegel wrote. "At the end of the day, Kuminga wants to feel valued, and the Warriors haven't given him ample reasons to want to stay."

Jonathan Kuminga doesn’t feel valued by the Warriors and is prepared to sign a qualifying offer and enter unrestricted free agency next summer unless the team improves its offer, per @BrettSiegelNBA

“There haven't been any indications suggesting that the Warriors are thinking… pic.twitter.com/A00hOwxKuC
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 4, 2025

Of course, if Kuminga were able to leave on his own terms this offseason, he would have already found a new home, but he is stuck in this situation with the Warriors. The best way out for him, while keeping some power in the situation, is to sign the qualifying offer and enter unrestricted free agency next offseason.

Bad news for the Warriors?

Of course, Kuminga could simply be using this to get a better offer out of the Warriors, but many reports suggest he is content with taking the qualifying offer.

The Warriors went into the offseason with a sign-and-trade in mind, as they wanted to part with Kuminga while getting something in return, but no trade offer was enticing enough for them. Now, the Warriors are at risk of losing Kuminga for literally nothing next offseason, unless they cough up a better contract offer for him.

The Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga remain far apart on a deal with training camp starting this month, per @DaltonJ_Johnson

Kuminga is leaning toward the 1-year, $7.9M qualifying offer after Golden State refused to add a player option in their 2-year, $45M offer. 🍿

(Via… pic.twitter.com/jMcYtUkWXS
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 3, 2025

Neither the Kuminga nor the Warriors should want him to sign the qualifying offer, but it is his last piece of leverage to hold over the franchise in order to receive a better deal. The Warriors' reported current offer for Kuminga is $45 million over two years with a team option, but Kuminga is not willing to take that. This entire situation could certainly spell bad news for the Warriors.

Kuminga preparing to sign QO

Bad news for the Warriors?

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