Jonathan Kuminga is ready to put his demands aside and re-sign with the Warriors if they’re willing to amend their latest offer.
The Jonathan Kuminga saga has been one of the major talking points of the summer. The Golden State Warriors and the young forward have failed to come to terms on multiple occasions this offseason.
The Warriors asked Jonathan Kuminga if he wanted to stay with the team. Given that Kuminga rejected the Warriors’ latest offer, they might have the answer to that question.
Kuminga is tired of the Warriors’ coaching staff not giving him the opportunities he wants. At this point, it isn’t about the money for him.
Or so it appeared, as Kuminga is willing to renege on his position and return to the Warriors if they slightly tweak their $75.2 million contract offer.
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesJonathan Kuminga wants player option instead of team option on Warriors contract
According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Jonathan Kuminga and his representation have sent a message to the Golden State Warriors.
Instead of wanting to leave, Kuminga is ready to accept the $75.2 million salary as long as the Warriors change the final year to a player option to a team option.
“I actually talked to Aaron Turner – Jonathan Kuminga’s agent – this morning. The messaging that they’re adopting this week is turn the TO (team option) to a PO (player option) and it’s done.
“If it’s a team option on that deal, $75.2 million, if that is suddenly a player option, not only will Jonathan Kuminga sign it, but he will be completely bought in on the mission they’re asking of him.
“That is to get Stephen Curry and Draymond Green a fifth ring, Jimmy Butler his first ring.
“That is an understanding that it is a show of good will, if they set it to a player option, for years of confusion over his role…
“They compared the deal to a lower-level version of the Jalen Green deal that Houston signed… He got paid by Houston to know he might get traded. He was traded for Kevin Durant.
“If they want Kuminga to sign this and buy in, he wants that player option and not a team option. That’s the hold up right now.”
Golden State Warriors have less than two weeks to convince Jonathan Kuminga
At this time, it is unclear whether the Golden State Warriors will acquiesce to this demand from Kuminga and his agent.
The Warriors have seemingly been reluctant to give Kuminga what he actually wants – a way out of the franchise.
However, this is the closest the two sides have been during these extended negotiations. If all Kuminga is asking for a player option, the Warriors should take this deal.
Changing the final year of his contract to a player option doesn’t make him any less tradeable.
And given that the Warriors and Kuminga have to meet the October 1st deadline for the qualifying offer, both sides should try to get this deal done as soon as possible.