The Warriors vs Jonathan Kuminga Saga Continues To Be A Complete Shit Show

David Berding. Getty Images.

At this point, almost every team in the NBA has done something in the offseason. For some, that meant re-signing their current free agents (MIN), for others, that meant building through trades and free agents (HOU), and for some, that meant replacing good rotation players with minimum guys due to that asshole 2nd apron (BOS).

And then there's the Golden State Warriors. The only team in the league that has not made an addition of any kind. In fact, their only offseason move so far was losing Kevon Looney to the Pelicans in free agency. We've heard "reports" that there are some veterans on the way, like Al Horford (sigh) and De'Anthony Melton, but everything with GS is in a holding pattern until they figure out what the hell they're going to do with RFA Jonathan Kuminga.

How's that going? I mean, it is almost August at this point, so they must be close to something right? Well….

In my opinion as an outsider who doesn't really care about the Warriors' success because I'm still extremely bitter about 2022 as well as my beloved Al Horford potentially joining that team, this whole thing seems like one gigantic disaster. From what I gather, Warriors fans are pretty split when it comes to the Jonathan Kuminga Experience, which I can understand, given that there have been some highs and a whole lot more lows so far. It might not all be his fault, but that's sort of the reality of his career up to this point.

But one thing I do think we can all agree on is that the Warriors themselves do not want to be in the Kuminga business. The thing is, their hands are kind of tied. They tried the two timelines thing, and that didn't really work. When he's played, there have been flashes, but between his inconsistent production and injury history, I don't blame GS for not wanting to sign him to some massive extension. The fact that the RFA market is also beyond dead doesn't help Kuminga, because it's not like he has any leverage of another team out there willing to send in a massive offer sheet.  

The truth is, they probably should have traded him well before things got to this point, but they decided to hold off. Why? Who the hell knows. Especially when you know you don't want to pay him a huge extension, why not flip the asset? Pick a lane, either keep him and pay him, or trade him and be done with it.

Instead, the Warriors are basically holding him hostage, which is holding up the rest of their offseason. You heard Shams, the team doesn't love any of the offers they've gotten for Kuminga, and to that I would say, what did they expect? The Warriors are not operating in a position of leverage when it comes to a Kuminga deal. At this point, they'll probably have to accept taking 60 cents on the dollar just to be done with this ordeal once and for all. It's not like they even really want to play him in the first place, so who gives a shit! 

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It almost makes you wonder at what point does Kuminga and his camp say fuck it and decide to play on the $7M qualifying offer this season, which would make him an UFA next summer? That way, he can then decide where he wants to go, knowing that way more teams are projected to have cap space next summer. That would be a disaster for the Warriors because at that point, you run the risk of losing him for nothing, which, for an expensive roster that needs to maximize the last few years of Steph Curry's career, is not ideal. It sort of reminds me of how Porzingis threatened to do this while he was on the Knicks when he wanted to be traded, eventually landing in Dallas. 

The downside of doing something like that for Kuminga would be giving up all that potential guaranteed money, and then entering a season in which the team barely uses you or doesn't set you up for success, which then hurts your future market. It's a tough gamble, and why the overwhelming majority of players don't play on a QO, but this is certainly a unique situation.  

My guess? The Warriors ultimately reach a sign & trade with one of PHX/SAC. The way I took Shams' report is just your classic negotiation. Those teams want Kuminga for peanuts, the Warriors are in no rush to accept that because at this point, they must know the QO is not on the table. As this drags out, I assume both sides will up their offers and we'll finally see the Warriors do something this offseason.

Their window to win is RIGHT NOW. Steph is giving them a few more years, but the clock is ticking