Kuminga more focused on growth in year four than new Warriors contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO — Jonathan Kuminga hopes to sign a contract extension with the Warriors, but the fourth-year forward’s focus is elsewhere as the 2024-25 NBA season approaches.
The 2021 NBA Draft lottery pick is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and although he was officially able to begin negotiating with Golden State in July, the Warriors and Kuminga have yet to reach an agreement . However, regardless of where things end up, the 21-year-old made it clear on Monday that his only commitment is to making an impact on the pitch this season.
“I hope so. God only knows,” Kuminga – sporting a new bleach blonde cut – said during the Warriors’ media day at Chase Center when asked if a contract would be finalized next month. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. It will be good, but it’s not my problem. Like I said, I’m just happy to be here, happy to start a new season, a fourth year , and things will manage by itself.
“I would love to have it, but I’m not really worried about it. If I get it, if I don’t have it, that’s cool. I’ll still be me. I’ll just go out there and perform. But It’s not a problem.”
There are three weeks left until the October 21 extension deadline for Kuminga, and the young pro is reportedly seeking five-year max contract worth $224 million. Otherwise, he will enter restricted free agency next July. The same goes for Kuminga’s teammate and fellow 2021 lottery pick, Moses Moody.
Kuminga kept busy in the meantime by becoming more of a “complete player” this summer, honing his shooting ability with intense off-season workouts that caught the attention of Dub Nation online.
For Kuminga, work is done with one goal in mind.
“Just to have a good season,” Kuminga said. “The better I play, the more helpful it is to our team, to everyone’s success. I’m just looking to go out and do my best and help us win as many games as possible.
“Maybe looking at the big picture, everyone probably wants to win a championship, things like that, but it’s too early to tell. That’s pretty much my goal, I just looking forward to going out there and sharing a field with the new players we have just done it, with some of the guys who have been here a long time, and I just had a great season.”
Kuminga made a major jump to third grade during the 2023-24 season, with an average of 16.1 points shooting 52.9% with 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 26.3 minutes per game. He’s appeared in 74 contests and started 46, and his chances of making coach Steve Kerr’s starting lineup this year are high.
Now in fourth grade, Kuminga at his best is precisely what the Warriors need after Klay Thompson left for the Dallas Mavericks and the team’s inability to acquire stars like Lauri Markkanen and Paul George this offseason. Kuminga’s minutes — and stats — have increased steadily over the past three years, but sources told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole that the Warriors aren’t willing to go as high as a max contract despite how much they want to keep it.
“Yeah, we’re working on that with them and their representation right now,” Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy told reporters Thursday about negotiations with Kuminga and Moody. “We still have a few weeks left. Good, positive conversations, without getting into too much detail. I think regardless of whether we do anything or not, we want these guys here.”
So, Kuminga’s fourth year could see him playing with the luxury of having signed a lucrative new contract. Or, he could have one more full season to prove he’s really worth his money.
After enjoying what he describes as one of the best summers of his life, Kuminga steps into the situation ahead of him with refined skills on the field and improved self-esteem off it.
“My game, knowing what I like to do besides playing basketball, learning more about my job,” Kuminga said of his development efforts this summer. “Once you get too stuck in basketball, you can’t do different things. So just enjoying traveling, going to different fashion shows and meeting new people. And obviously my new look. C That’s about it.”
Kuminga had the best statistical campaign of his young career last season, although it had its fair share of ups and downs. Now, he and his new hairstyle will look to build on that success – with or without a paycheck.
“I’m itching, I can’t wait,” Kuminga said. “I’m very excited, I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a great season. So I can’t wait to get started.”
