Restricted NBA free agent Jonathan Kuminga agreed to return to the Golden State Warriors after the Phoenix Suns made efforts to acquire him, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Tuesday.
Kuminga agreed to a two-year, $48 million deal with a team option after the first season. Charania added that the two sides are likely to explore trades when Kuminga becomes eligible in January.
The Suns reportedly made “the most lucrative push” for Kuminga this offseason and negotiated sign-and-trade options with the Warriors.
Charania reported that the Suns put a four-year, nearly $90 million offer with a player option on the table.
According to ESPN, Kuminga preferred longer-term contracts from the Suns and Sacramento Kings, but the Warriors did not receive a trade offer that enticed them to make a deal.
Kuminga was in trade talks between the Suns and Warriors at last year’s deadline, when Phoenix discussed sending Kevin Durant back to Golden State to acquire Jimmy Butler and Kuminga.
Kuminga is a 22-year-old forward who spent his first four NBA seasons in Golden State.
He fell out of the rotation at points last season, playing in a career-low 47 games. He averaged 15.3 points on 45.4% shooting (30.5% from deep) and 4.6 rebounds.
After sparsely playing in the first round of the playoffs against the Houston Rockets, Kuminga averaged 20.8 points in the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves, having to fill a larger role with Stephen Curry injured.
