Kuminga and the Warriors have resumed negotiations! He doesn't want to be traded mid-season: he wants to be a cornerstone or have freedom.

On August 16, Beijing time, Warriors reporter Anthony Slater reported in his latest show that over the past week, the Warriors have restarted negotiations with Jonathan Kuminga's team, and both sides are still discussing contract options.

As Slater previously reported, he mentioned that Kuminga and his representatives hope to reach a contract that positions him more as a cornerstone of the team rather than just a trade asset.

“The term I heard from Kuminga's side is ‘pawn’,” Slater said.“He does not want to sign that two-year, $45 million contract with a team option, as that clearly implies he could be traded mid-season. This is not a situation he wants to accept..”

“If it were a three-year contract, or one with a player option that reflects more goodwill from the team, he might be interested. But so far, the Warriors have been hesitant about this, and that's why Kuminga has expressed to those close to him that he is very willing—indeed, prefers—to accept the qualifying offer rather than that two-year, $45 million contract. This poses a risk for the Warriors. They might try to think he is just bluffing, but currently, it seems the situation is leaning towards him accepting the qualifying offer.”

Some of the Warriors' free agent targets—including big man Horford—are waiting for Kuminga's contract situation to be resolved before finalizing any agreements with the Golden State Warriors. However, since training camp does not start until the end of September and the deadline for restricted free agents to accept qualifying offers is October 1, there are no critical milestones before then, so Slater believes that even if the stalemate continues into September, he wouldn’t be surprised.

“In August, it’s easy for everyone to think, ‘Well, let’s just wait until we handle this,’” Slater said. “By September, things might start to get a bit tricky. I don’t know if the Warriors or Kuminga’s camp will take action, or if anxiety will increase, but the issue may become more challenging to handle in September.”

As Slater acknowledged, if Kuminga were to forgo the $14 million salary for the 2025-26 season and choose to accept the $8 million qualifying offer instead of the Warriors’ two-year, $45 million contract, it would indeed be somewhat surprising. However, accepting the qualifying offer would allow him to have more control over his future, as it means he would have trade veto power in the 2025-26 season and could become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

“After talking to those around him, it’s clear his stance is firm,” Slater said. “If the two-year, $45 million contract with a team option is the best offer, he would participate in training camp under the $8 million expiring qualifying offer, which includes trade veto rights.Because he either wants to be seen as a more important cornerstone of the team or wants to have freedom and control over his future. Although the qualifying offer is less money, it allows him to have control over his future..”