The standoff between Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors has stretched deep into the offseason, and theres still no resolution in sight.
While a sign-and-trade has always been Kumingas preferred outcome, the Warriors appear to be settling on another direction, Tim Kawakami reports
The chances of a sign-and-trade deal this summer to another team, though, have never been zero, mostly because it has always seemed to be Kumingas preferred result, Kawakami wrote. And also the preferred result, if the Warriors could get an acceptable trade package in return, of several important people in the organization.
But after more than a month of fruitless and brief negotiations with Kuminga and a few other teams, the options seem to be narrowing, at least as far as the Warriors are concerned and probably for Kumingas camp, too. The word I got when I checked in with a Warriors source on Sunday: Kuminga wont be traded this summer. Hell be back on the Warriors roster to start the season. And itll either come when he signs the Warriors offer or accepts the $7.9 million one-year qualifying offer.
Kawakami added that Golden State has never been enthusiastic about moving the 22-year-old forward, with ownership still valuing his potential.
But several sources have indicated that the Warriors have been unenthusiastic about the general idea of a Kuminga sign-and-trade from the outset. The broad context is that Joe Lacob remains a fan of Kumingas and is determined to either keep the 22-year-old on the roster or get real value in return. And hes willing to wait it out.
Kuminga averaged 15.3 points last season but never fully broke into Steve Kerrs closing rotation. With Sacramento reported as the most aggressive suitor, the Warriors continue to hold their line.
Kawakami floated one potential compromise: a two-year deal with a partial guarantee in the second season, which could both give Kuminga more security and keep him tradeable if Golden State decides to move on later.
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