ClutchPoints reporter Brett Siegel wrote an article today, talking about the negotiation deadlock between the Warriors and their own restricted free agent Kuminga.
Previously, it was reported that Kumingga refused the Warriors' two-year, $45 million renewal offer, because the Warriors wanted to join the team option in the second year of the contract, and asked Kumingga to give up the veto power given to him by the labor-management agreement. In addition, Kumingga also has the possibility of signing a qualification offer with the Warriors (about 7.9 million US dollars per year).
Brett Siegel talked about the difference between a 2-year $45 million and a 1-year $7.9 million qualification quotation, as follows:
Perhaps the biggest problem with two-year renewal quotation and qualification quotation is what is the real difference between the two.
Since Kumingga is likely to be traded by the Warriors no matter what, from his perspective, is it more meaningful to accept more money, make full use of his opportunities, and embrace changes in the environment?
Although Kumingga does not have control over the next destination, if he signs a qualification offer, he can give him this right in 2026 (free choice of the next one). If the Warriors do not trade him but choose not to execute the team option in this two-year (45 million) contract renewal contract, Kumingga can still become a free agent next summer. The only reason why Kumingga did not accept this contract (45 million for 2 years) is that he really doesn't want to go back to the Warriors. To change his mind and unite both sides again, what Kumingga wants seems to be the primary content of this two-year contract extension.
This renewal offer is unlikely to change.
The Warriors have been going on for so long that no team in the league has the ability to offer a offer to force the Warriors to take Kumingga. Meanwhile, maybe it makes sense for the Warriors to change a little to end the negotiation deadlock with Kuminga.
Changing the team option to the player option will make Kumingga more inclined to sign this two-year, $45 million contract?
After all, the Warriors still have the ability to trade him, which is basically a one-year contract, as he still has the option to jump out of the contract in the offseason next year.
Better yet, maybe such a contract can unite both sides and resolve their differences, and this situation will develop in a completely different direction, with Kumingga still a member of the team's young core.
Nevertheless, time is tight and the Warriors hope to solve this problem as soon as possible, especially now that September is coming soon.
In the regular season of the 2024-25 season, Kumingga played 47 games, averaging 24.3 minutes per game, scoring 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists; in the playoffs, Kumingga played 8 games, averaging 23.4 minutes per game, scoring 15.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.