Warriors lock in 2-year, $48.5M deal with Jonathan Kuminga

After months of public speculation and roster uncertainty, Jonathan Kuminga has finally agreed to a two-year, $48.5 million contract with the Golden State Warriors, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal includes a team option for 2026-27, giving the Warriors short-term control while maintaining future flexibility.

The agreement ushers in calm after a summer of drama. Kuminga had been in restricted free agency, with reports that he was considering accepting the one-year qualifying offer worth ~$7.9 million to preserve his freedom in 2026. But negotiations dragged on, and the two sides explored longer offers before settling on this compromise. 

According to reports, the Warriors insisted the second year be a team option, resisting Kuminga’s preference for a player option. This allows them to preserve roster flexibility and trade leverage.

Under the new deal, Kuminga reportedly waived his no-trade clause, allowing Golden State freedom to explore trade possibilities after January. The contract gives him significantly more guaranteed money than the one-year qualifying offer would have, making it a sensible middle ground.

ANALYSIS: Kuminga’s role moving forward is still something of a question mark. While his athleticism and two-way potential have always been core to his promise, consistency and fit in the Warriors’ rotation have been debated. In 2024-25, he averaged 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds over 47 games, with strong stretches in the playoffs especially when key injuries struck.

Veteran additions like Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II give Golden State more options, limiting pressure on Kuminga to carry the offensive load immediately.

Still, this contract implies the Warriors believe there’s a path forward with him – or at least that he remains a valuable piece under control if things don’t pan out. His waived no-trade clause suggests both sides are keeping options open.

Because of the waived no-trade clause, Kuminga could be moved during the 2025–26 season if the fit doesn’t materialize. Though it’s a two-year deal, much of the leverage is in that first year, making this season a critical proving ground. Integrating him with stars like Curry, Draymond, Butler, and the newly signed veterans will test coach Steve Kerr’s lineup flexibility, but If Kuminga makes a leap, he’ll be in a strong position to test the open market in 2027. If not, Golden State may look elsewhere and find a trade for him.