UPDATE: Tensions rise as the Golden State Warriors face a critical deadline in their contract negotiations with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. With an impending deadline of September 28, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET, the stakes have never been higher for both the player and the franchise.
At media day in San Francisco on Monday morning, veteran stars Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, and Jimmy Butler expressed their unwavering confidence that Kuminga’s contract situation will not derail their championship ambitions. “I don’t think anyone is winning a championship the first few days of practice,” Green stated, underscoring the importance of team unity as they prepare for their first practice on Tuesday.
Kuminga remains unsigned, complicating the Warriors’ roster plans as veteran additions Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton also await contract finalizations tied to Kuminga’s situation. “We respect the [negotiation] process,” Curry remarked, emphasizing the team’s commitment to supporting their young star.
Currently, Kuminga has rebuffed two offers from the Warriors: a two-year, $45 million deal and a three-year, $75.2 million contract, both featuring a team option for the final season. The 21-year-old is seeking a more favorable agreement that grants him a player option or a possible sign-and-trade arrangement. As negotiations stall, the Warriors risk losing their No. 7 pick from the 2021 NBA draft for nothing next summer if Kuminga opts for his one-year, $8 million qualifying offer, which expires shortly.
Green provided insight into the negotiation dynamics, saying, “A contract negotiation is a contract negotiation for a reason. It’s one side trying to get the better of the other side.” He added, “That will be a distraction and that will suck,” referring to the roster’s limited numbers without Kuminga, Horford, and Melton during practice.
While there were hopes for Kuminga to attend a recent player-organized minicamp, business delays prevented his participation. Green believes Kuminga still wants to remain with the Warriors, stating, “He said that to me — that he still wants to be here.”
The urgency of this situation resonates throughout the team, as their championship window narrows. The emotional weight of potential loss is palpable, with Butler sharing his confidence that both sides will ultimately reach a resolution: “I hope it gets resolved. I know that both sides will be happy in the end. We all love JK.”
As the clock ticks down, all eyes are on Kuminga’s next move. Will he sign a deal that aligns with his aspirations, or will he risk an uncertain future with the Warriors? As Curry noted, “I just know from man-to-man, he doesn’t want to have to be in the way of anything.”
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the negotiations unfold, with the potential to reshape the Warriors’ roster and their pursuit of another championship. With the season fast approaching, every moment counts.