The Main Reason Holding Back Jonathan Kuminga's Negotiations With Golden State

Warriors star Jonathan Kuminga has one specific reason he hasn't re-signed with the team yet

May 14, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) looks to pass the ball as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) plays defense in the first half during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

The Golden State Warriors have yet to sign forward Jonathan Kuminga. Both sides have been at a stalemate this offseason, with the October 1st deadline approaching for the qualifying offer.

Because neither side has committed, the domino effect on the other players on Golden State's target list have yet to sign with the team. Al Horford, Gary Payton II, and De'Anthony Melton have all been linked to sign with the Warriors, but the Kuminga situation has put everything on pause.

The Newest Update For Kuminga and The Warriors

On ESPN's NBA Today, Warriors reporter Anthony Slater reported that Kuminga is specifically looking for a player option, and not a team option, which gives him more control.

The message from Jonathan Kuminga and his agent Aaron Turner to the Warriors this week: Flip the team option to a player option and Kuminga will sign deal and buy-in to mission of getting Steph Curry another title.

GSW has been reluctant to add a player option in any offer. pic.twitter.com/V05DRH2ROi

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) September 16, 2025

"I talked to (Kuminga's agent) this morning, and the message they're adopting this week is to turn the T-O to a P-O (and the contract is signed). (The message) is generally saying that if it's a team-option on that three-year deal, and suddenly it's a player option -- not only will Jonathan Kuminga sign the contract, but he will be completely bought in on the mission they are asking him," said Slater.

The mission they are referring to is wanting Kuminga to help Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler win a ring. For the first two, it would be their fifth championship, and Butler's first.

The current offer that Slater mentioned was a three-year deal for $75.2 million, but with the team option, which gives the Warriors the freedom to trade or keep Kuminga if they decide to go that route.

Other Offers The Warriors Received For Kuminga

The Warriors could have dealt Kuminga most notably to the Sacramento Kings, who were willing to offer guard Malik Monk and a first-round pick to Golden State, but the team denied, citing the protections on the draft pick.

The Kings believe Jonathan Kuminga wants to play for them, and the Warriors may reconsider a sign-and-trade if protections are removed from the pick, per @sam_amick

“Team sources say the Kings are under the impression that Kuminga does, in fact, want to play for them. The… pic.twitter.com/XfqXCbKl90

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 16, 2025

The Phoenix Suns were also interested in Kuminga, even willing to lock him in long term. The Suns offered Golden State a package of Royce O'Neale and multiple second-round picks for the forward. They then reportedly would have offered Kuminga a four-year contract extension worth $90 million, but nothing ever came of it.

UPDATE: The Phoenix Suns have offered the Golden-State Warriors Royce O’neal and multiple 2nd-round picks for Jonathan Kuminga.

They’ve also offered a 4-year close to $90M contract extension to Jonathan Kuminga.

(Via, @ShamsCharania) pic.twitter.com/aPSSZZWPqq

— CantGuardBook (@CGBBURNER) September 16, 2025

The NBA preseason begins in just a few weeks, with training camp starting at the end of September. Eventually, both sides will have to come to an agreement, and Kuminga's future will be more concrete. Right now, it's just a matter of who can convince whom, and the public will have to wait patiently while both parties figure it out.