Follow us on Google Discover The Warriors offered Jonathan Kuminga $75 million over three years which he turned down. Having signed a two-year prove-it deal with Minnesota, his agent explained their thought process.
Jonathan Kuminga’s NBA career so far hasn’t been one with much stability. He now finds himself on the Minnesota Timberwolves alongside Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball.
News broke earlier in the week that Kuminga had signed a two-year, $13 million deal with the team. This led to quite the reaction from fans, who remembered the offer Kuminga had turned down before.
The Golden State Warriors had offered $75 million over three years, which the 23-year-old and his agent turned down. In a recent interview, the agent in question explained the decision.
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesJonathan Kuminga’s agent says basketball situation matters more than taking the most money
By the end of Kuminga’s time in Golden State, it had become quite evident that Steve Kerr didn’t quite think that he could be a star player.
Had he stayed, the situation on the court might have become even less favourable for the young star. His agent, Aaron Turner, explained that this was the priority over simply getting him the most money immediately.
Jonathan Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, explains why he didn’t sign a 3-year, $75M extension with the Warriors:
“Money coming before basketball is not how you continue to make more and more money. … Next year is a way better free agency year for him…teams that have been… pic.twitter.com/tpeJMrHym0
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“To me, he had to get to a spot to make long-term money or past this contract,” Turner told Chandler Parsons. “Where the basketball was set.
“Because, with the basketball comes the money, right? If you understand this business, you understand that if it’s a good basketball fit, the money follows.
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“The money coming before basketball is not how you continue to make more and more money. So, put yourself in the best basketball situation. If you take a longer deal, you have no control over that.”
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It seems that flexibility and a long-term vision were the thoughts behind Kuminga’s decision. However, they only make sense if he actually develops into a star on another team.
If that does not occur, then Kuminga and his agent’s failure to secure the most lucrative contract will look even worse than it already does to a lot of people.
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