Why Warriors are willing to wait before investing big in Kuminga

Why Warriors are willing to wait before investing big in Kuminga originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – From CEO Joe Lacob to general manager Mike Dunleavy to coach Steve Kerr and his staff, most key figures within the Warriors hierarchy love what they think Jonathan Kuminga can bring to the franchise.

They’d like to move beyond thinking Kuminga can be an NBA All-Star to reach a consensus in the belief that he will evolve enough to reach that status.

There was, according to two NBA sources, enough uncertainty to prevent Golden State from handing Kuminga the kind of massive contract extension that would have signified he is next in line to hold the keys to the franchise. With the deadline passing at 3 p.m. PT Monday, the 22-year-old forward will become a restricted free agent next summer.

“He took a leap last season,” one source said. “They want to see another one before they make that investment. He’s still under their control. If Kuminga has a strong season, I know they’ll take care of him.”

The Warriors weren’t ready to offer Kuminga the kind of massive contract that would have made him the second-highest paid player on the books next season, behind only superstar Stephen Curry, who will make $59.6 million.

No one else on the current roster has a contract that exceeds $30 million in 2025-26, and Kuminga and his representatives, according to sources, sought a deal well beyond that amount. A deal that would have had considerably more impact on the payroll than those lined up for four-time All-Star Draymond Green and 2022 All-Star Andrew Wiggins.

The failure to reach an agreement with Kuminga was not a surprise. Though both sides engaged in early conversations, it was quickly apparent that figures could not be reconciled. Kuminga and his agent, Aaron Turner of Verus Basketball, are taking a risk with the hope that he will prove he’s worth the kind of contract generally afforded a franchise player.

In a recent conversation for an upcoming “Dubs Talk” on NBC Sports Bay Area, Kuminga did not seem particularly unnerved by that possibility.

“My main focus is basketball and my…

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Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-10-22 01:17:00

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