Kuminga, Warriors at Impasse Over Player Option as QO Deadline Nears

We’re now less than two weeks away from the October 1 deadline for Jonathan Kuminga’s qualifying offer.

As reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater earlier this week, the Warriors have offered Kuminga a three-year, $75.2M deal, with the third year structured as a team option. Slater also noted that Kuminga’s camp would have no issue signing that deal if Golden State converted the team option into a player option. However, the Warriors have reportedly stated that a player option is a non-starter.

That’s where things currently stand with training camp just 11 days away.

As we steadily approach the 11th hour of negotiations, frustrations have grown among fans, Warriors decision-makers, and Kuminga’s side. Meanwhile, Golden State still has just nine players on its official roster. It’s been reported ad nauseam over the past few weeks that the Warriors have been tied to free agents Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, Seth Curry, and Gary Payton II. But any potential signings remain on hold until the Kuminga negotiations are resolved.

I recently spoke with Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, who made it clear that while no one wants to go the qualifying offer route, it remains a real possibility. Turner said that if Kuminga ends up signing the one-year, $7.9M QO, it would no doubt damage his long-term relationship with the organization.

“Treat him fairly. If it’s about the now, give him a PO. If it’s about controlling the future, move the number up and get him a TO,” Turner said. He confirmed that the current three-year, $75.2M offer, if modified to include a player option, would seal the deal and result in a fully bought-in Kuminga. Turner also noted that Kuminga’s side would be open to revisiting Golden State’s original two-year, $45M offer, but only if the second year is a player option rather than a team option.

The general sentiment from Kuminga’s camp is that, after a tumultuous four years with the franchise, he feels he’s earned a degree of control over his next contract.

In reality, the two sides don’t appear to be far apart. As Draymond Green recently put it, “Negotiations are rarely easy, but they usually get done in the end.” Warriors fans should be hopeful a deal is reached, not just for Kuminga’s on-court value, but because his contract could also be a key asset in future roster-building moves. If Kuminga ends up signing the qualifying offer, the Warriors risk losing a vital young piece for nothing next offseason.

(Photo credit:Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)