Jonathan Kuminga could run the gamut of Lady Gaga’s “Million Reasons” and the Warriors still won’t budge. Even though he’s saying, “If I had a highway, I would run for the hills. If you could find a dry way, I’d forever be still,” the team said, “Head stuck in a cycle.” The cycle? Maintaining their reputation as one of the best front offices in the NBA by retaining future superstars. Jonathan Kuminga, by most analytical observations, has the potential to be one very soon. The Dubs would be stupid to let that go.
A cross-state team has emerged as the main contender to acquire Kuminga. He wants to protect his long term future while the Dubs are willing to offer more money now in exchange for undercutting Kuminga in 2027. It’s no longer about cap space, bargaining chips, future trades, and second aprons. It’s now about not giving other teams what they have, according to Sam Amick.
The Athletic reporter broke down the core of the Kuminga conundrum that remains unresolved and it boils down to the team’s ego. The 22-year-old will be a huge asset to any team in the coming years. Reportedly, even Warriors co-owners, Joe Lacob and Peter Gruber know so. “There is a sense from some people involved that there’s a real reluctance not only to finally ‘quit him,’ if you will, but also to see him go up the road to another Northern California NBA team.”
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The Northern California team? The $3.7 billion worth Sacramento Kings. Sources confirmed to Amick that Kuminga positively wants to go to Sacramento. The Kings previously made a push for Kuminga few weeks ago by offering Malik Monk and a protected 2030 first-round pick in a sign-and-trade for the former lottery pick.
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A source who previously worked for the Warrios and is close to Vivek Ranadivé, chairman of the Sacramento Kings, revealed why the Warriors would not give up Kuminga to any of the interested teams. “And what if Kuminga blows up and becomes a total star?”
The Warriors have a history of developing players with immense potential and creating stars inside their organization. Before Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson left, they won chips for the Warriors. Unlikely that they’d prematurely give up on a player that has the right ability to give Steph Curry his fifth chip and Jimmy Butler his first.
This isn’t just the team ownership either. It comes from the top.
Warriors’ top brass involved in the Kuminga indecision
If some reports are to be believed, the Warriors had the chance to get reigning champion, Alex Caruso. The Bulls reportedly offered Caruso to the Warriors but the deal would’ve included Jonathan Kuminga. Joe Lacob was the one to shut it down.
As Sam Amick further revealed, “From a personal ownership dynamic level, there are some folks that feel like that could be playing a small part. Again, that’s not really relevant, because these other things are the real obstacles. But I mean, Joe—like a lot of owners—is very involved, too.”
On paper, Caruso and Draymond Green would’ve been a defensive juggernaut. They could’ve come closer to a championship too than the Dubs have been with Kuminga. But again, the team’s ownership is banking on Kuminga’s future stardom and stubbornly pushing for a team option.
When the Kings first offered, Kuminga’s agent presented a counteroffer to the Warriors – a three-year, $63 million contract with a player option in the third year. However, the Warriors countered with a three-year, $75.2 million contract, but with a team option. Kuminga and his team turned it down to protect his future security.
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Lacob was also the driving force behind the Warriors drafting Kuminga. He isn’t going to let him go.