Kuminga more focused on Year 4 growth than Warriors extension

Kuminga more focused on Year 4 growth than Warriors extension originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — Jonathan Kuminga hopes he’ll sign a contract extension with the Warriors, but the fourth-year forward’s focus is elsewhere as the 2024-25 NBA season approaches.

The 2021 NBA Draft lottery pick is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and while he officially was able to begin negotiating with Golden State in July, the Warriors and Kuminga have yet to reach an agreement. Regardless of where things end up, however, the 21-year-old on Monday made it clear his sole dedication is to making an impact on the court this season.

“Hopefully. Only God knows,” Kuminga — rocking a new bleach-blonde buzzcut — said during Warriors Media Day at Chase Center when asked if a contract will get done in the next month. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. It will be good, but that’s not my concern. Like I said, I’m just happy to be here, happy to start a new season, fourth year, and things are going to by itself handle.

“I’d love to have it, but I’m not really concerned about it. If I get it, if I don’t, it’s cool. I’m still going to be me. I’ll just go out there and perform. But that’s not a problem.”

There are three weeks until the Oct. 21 extension deadline for Kuminga, and the young pro reportedly is seeking a maximum five-year, $224 million contract. Otherwise, he’ll enter restricted free agency next July. The same goes for Kuminga’s teammate and fellow 2021 lottery pick Moses Moody.

Kuminga has kept himself busy in the meantime by becoming more of a “complete player” this summer, sharpening his shooting ability with intense offseason workouts that have caught Dub Nation’s attention online.

For Kuminga, the work is done with one goal in mind.

“Just to have a great season,” Kuminga said. “The better I play, the more helpful it is to our team, to everyone’s success. I’m just looking to go out there and just perform my best and just help us win as many games as we can.

“Maybe looking at the bigger picture, everyone probably wants to win a championship, things like that, but it’s too early to say that. That’s…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/kuminga-more-focused-4-growth-010348517.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-10-01 01:03:48

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