The biggest remaining free agent domino in the NBA finally fell — and it came just one day after most teams reported for training camps.
Restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors have agreed to a two-year, $48.5 million contract, according to ESPN, which also reported that the contract has a team option in which the deal voids, with the intent for it to be renegotiated next offseason.
Kuminga, 22, has been seeking a long-term commitment from the Warriors, but had limited leverage as a restricted free agent. The Warriors essentially would’ve had the chance to match any offer sheet another team would’ve tendered to Kuminga. But, because teams had very little salary cap space this offseason, a market for Kuminga never materialized, and he remained unsigned for most of the summer.
Kuminga also had the option to sign the one-year, $8 million qualifying offer that would’ve made him an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2025-26 season. That would’ve allowed him to test the market, increasing the risk that the Warriors would lose the 2021 No. 7 overall draft pick with no assets to show for it.
With this agreement in place, the Warriors will also have the option to work with Kuminga and his representatives to explore potential trade options when he becomes eligible to be dealt in January; the NBA trading deadline falls on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026.
The Warriors reported for training camp Monday, Sept. 29 and held their first practice Tuesday.
Getting the deal in place allows Kuminga to join the Warriors as they try to capitalize on their championship contention window with Stephen Curry (37), Jimmy Butler (36) and Draymond Green (35) as the centerpieces.
“You have a guy who is trying to figure out his situation, and we respect that process,” Curry told reporters Monday. “It’s going to play out. When he’s here ready to work, we expect him to be locked in on doing what he needs to do to help us win.”
