Much has been said about the drama surrounding the contract negotiations between the Golden State Warriors and talented forward Jonathan Kuminga. However, with the saga concluding after Kuminga signed a two-year deal worth $48.5 million with a team option in the second year, he emphasized two things: that he’s glad that all that is over with, and he’s here to help the Warriors win another title.
While Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, did all the talking over the last few months since his client became a restricted free agent, it was clear that the 6’8″ forward not only wanted to secure the bag but also have a more prominent role on the Warriors, something easier said than done given the presence of All-Stars Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and now, Al Horford.
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It’s unclear what was said at the moment leading to the finalization of Kuminga’s new deal. What was apparent during his press conference on Thursday, though, was the huge sigh of relief from his end now that he’s able to focus solely on basketball for his fifth year in the league.
Betting on himself
The league has seen mixed results when it comes to players betting on themselves. Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet is a fine example of someone who went undrafted and worked hard to earn multiple big-money contracts in his nine-year career.
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However, on the flip side, Dennis Schroder famously turned down a four-year, $84 million contract extension, believing he could command a more lucrative deal in the offseason. A poor showing in the postseason, though, torpedoed his prospects of a lucrative deal and he ended up signing a one-year deal with the Boston Celtics that paid him $5.9 million.
Kuminga was asked the new deal signified him betting on himself and his potential and he responded that he’s not approaching it like that.
“I wouldn’t say that,” Kuminga declared. “But I’ll tell you, me betting on myself is helping us win a championship. And I think that’s our goal and how we all look at it. I’m blessed, I’m glad I got this done.”
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As much as the Warriors rely on their old guard to carry them to the top, Kerr emphasized that Kuminga definitely has a place in the rotation.
“There’s no denying that there’s a place for him on this team,” Kerr conveyed. “We don’t have that big, athletic wing player like he represents.”
Excited for what the future holds
Fans and the media quickly threw shade on the young forward as negotiations for a new contract bled into training camp. However, he clarified that these things are par for the course in the NBA.
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“It’s part of what we do,” he said. “It’s a business. At the end of the day, all that matters is we got it done, and I’m excited to be here.”
Kuminga participated in parts of the Warriors’ practice and shared how everyone there was happy to see him back on the floor with them. With the 2025-26 season a month away, he added that he’s focused on doing whatever he can to help the Warriors win games.
“Find a way to help us win. Both ends – defense, offense – just find a way to be a piece that’s going to help us win games and hopefully a championship. Being involved on both sides. Finding a way to have an impact,” he expressed. “If it’s defense, if it’s an assignment, just go guard the best player. Or if they need me to score. … I feel like that’s what I’m looking forward to and I am very open-minded.”
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Make no mistake, Kuminga will have to play a crucial role if the Warriors hope to have a chance in the wild Western Conference. With young and athletic players abound on teams like the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Warriors need a versatile player who can defend multiple positions and contribute on both ends of the court. Kuminga certainly fits that bill.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 3, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.