Cuminga’s Future with the Warriors Uncertain
Jonathan Cuminga is considering leaving the Golden State Warriors as his free agency options narrow. The Warriors seem hesitant to focus on his development, but they also don’t want to lose such a promising young player without getting something in return. The Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings are interested, with the Kings allegedly offering everything Cuminga wants. Still, the Warriors are determined to maximize Cuminga’s trade value, keeping negotiations active.
This is the latest status of Cuminga’s free agency according to an ESPN report by Shams Charania.
Charania outlines an offer of two years at $45 million that includes a team option for the second year, along with a mandate to waive the auto-notrade clause. Cuminga hasn’t accepted this. At 22, he’s looking for a deal closer to $30 million annually, along with greater offensive involvement. The Warriors, as a restricted free agent, have the right to match any offer, but with the league’s limited cap space, significant changes are likely only through a sign-and-trade arrangement.
Currently, the Suns and Kings are vying for Cuminga’s attention, yet the Warriors don’t seem interested in what they have on the table. Charania mentions the Suns are proposing nearly $70 million more than what the Warriors have put forth in a potential $90 million four-year deal.
Cuminga is drawn to the long-term offers from both the Kings and the Suns. He sees them as an opportunity for a fresh start, a more significant role, a possible starting position, and greater respect and control over his career, especially given the player options. The Phoenix deal, it appears, guarantees him significantly more than what the Warriors do.
While there hasn’t been any news about the Suns’ proposed trade package to the Warriors, speculation suggests they might include players like O’Neale and Grayson Allen. The Warriors might also be looking for prospects like Oso Igodaro or Ryan Dunn. Reports say the Kings’ offer includes players like Devin Carter, Dario Saric, and a few second-round draft picks.
The Warriors certainly have leverage in this situation. Personally, I’m doubtful they can negotiate better deals than what O’Neale and Allen would provide. There are thoughts that the Warriors might trade with another team after December 15th, especially if Kuminga’s trade restrictions are lifted. If that’s true, they may want to retain Kuminga before making any deals; otherwise, they might just go for the Suns’ offer.
O’Neale has three years and $33 million remaining on his contract, while Allen has three years left totaling $54 million. It seems the Warriors view both as contracts that won’t give them the flexibility they want in case they pursue star players in the future. There have been long-standing rumors of their interest in Giannis Antetokounmpo, and they might prefer to maintain a clean slate if they seek his services post-2027.
Will the Warriors find new homes for O’Neale and Allen? The market has many expired contracts, but it seems teams are hesitant to commit to longer deals in free agency, so there may not be a strong demand for those players.
Allen is known for his elite three-point shooting; he hit about 46.1% and 42.3% over the past two seasons. O’Neale, now 32, was a solid three-and-D player, averaging 30% last season. The Warriors certainly need more depth, and if the trade is on the table, the idea of swapping Kuminga for those two sounds appealing.
I can only imagine how exciting it would be to see Kuminga in a fast-paced system that fully utilizes his size and explosiveness—something that’s not happening under Steve Kerr’s current strategy. The restricted free agent market has been particularly challenging this summer, and unfortunately, it seems like Kuminga is bearing the brunt of it.
