Jonathan Kuminga Rejects Warriors Return, Seeks $30M Annually Despite Dried-Up Market and Shaky Free Agency Momentum

Jonathan Kuminga’s time with the Golden State Warriors appears to be all but over. According to reports from NBA insider Brett Siegel and multiple league sources, the 22-year-old forward is actively seeking a fresh start—and a contract north of $30 million per year. It’s a bold move for the fourth-year pro, especially in a restricted free agency landscape that has turned unexpectedly cold for the former No. 7 overall pick.

Last season, Kuminga flashed brilliance in spurts, averaging a career-best 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds across 47 games, shooting 45.4% from the field. He started 46 of those contests, finding a rhythm for a stretch that suggested the former G League Ignite product might finally be turning the corner into full-time stardom. But the emergence didn’t last, and as the season wore on, the warning signs began to multiply.

Golden State’s blockbuster trade for Jimmy Butler midseason altered the trajectory of Kuminga’s role entirely. What had been a growing platform became a minimized one. His minutes declined, his touches dwindled, and he found himself benched in several key games—most notably, multiple “must-win” scenarios late in the season. Perhaps most telling was his absence from the lineup in a pivotal April game against the Lakers, when the Warriors were still clinging to slim Play-In hopes. Coach Steve Kerr cited a “matchup decision,” but the subtext was clear: Kuminga no longer had the trust of the coaching staff.

The young forward, who has publicly stated frustration in past seasons about being told to “stay ready” despite inconsistent usage, was reportedly stunned by the shrinking role. The frustration was visible even without a microphone. Eyes rolled, head shakes, and short bench conversations with assistant coaches painted the picture of a player losing patience with his situation. League insiders now say that discontent has boiled over into a desire to leave the Bay entirely.

Golden State, according to league sources, offered Kuminga a five-year, $150 million extension last offseason. At $30 million annually, it was a sign of faith in his long-term upside, despite limited production to that point. Kuminga declined. Betting on himself after a strong finish to the 2022-23 campaign, he entered the 2023-24 season with expectations of becoming a focal point in the post-Steph Curry era.

But now, with free agency dragging into late July and many rosters already set, Kuminga’s market has evaporated. Teams with cap space opted to pursue more established stars. Others, wary of giving up assets for a restricted free agent, backed off. And some simply viewed the $30 million-per-year price tag as too steep for a player who, while undeniably gifted, has yet to fully prove he can be a top-two option on a playoff team.

The Warriors, aware of his restricted status, have remained quiet—holding out hope, perhaps, that they can still recoup value via sign-and-trade. But that path too is murky. Teams are reluctant to negotiate from a perceived position of weakness. The optics of a young player turning down a massive deal, demanding more money despite an up-and-down season, and publicly signaling his desire to leave his current team have not helped his case.

Kuminga, for his part, has not made any public comments since the end of the season, but sources close to him say he believes he’s ready to be “the man” on a young, up-and-coming squad. He has long drawn comparisons to Pascal Siakam and Jaylen Brown for his blend of size, athleticism, and slashing ability. However, unlike those players, he has yet to develop a reliable perimeter shot or demonstrate consistent decision-making in high-leverage moments. Still, at just 22, he remains one of the youngest players from his draft class, and scouts continue to rave about his raw potential.

What complicates matters further is the Warriors’ timeline. Golden State is at a crossroads: Stephen Curry is aging, Draymond Green is under contract but volatile, and Klay Thompson is now gone to Dallas. The Jimmy Butler trade sent a message that the team still believes in competing now, but they’re balancing that win-now approach with a roster full of younger prospects like Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis. Kuminga’s presence, once seen as a bridge to the future, now feels like a mismatched piece in a retooled machine.

Behind the scenes, Golden State’s front office is reportedly frustrated but not surprised by Kuminga’s posture. One source told The Athletic, “We’ve seen this coming for a while. He wants to be the guy. We just don’t have the minutes or touches to offer that right now—not when the window’s closing for Steph.” Others around the league have pointed to a lack of consistent mentorship in Golden State’s locker room for younger players, noting that the team has often prioritized veterans, even in games that would have been ideal for development.

Still, it’s hard to ignore what Kuminga brings. A 6-foot-8 forward with explosive leaping ability, switchable defense, and a knack for attacking the rim, he remains one of the most tantalizing talents on the market. His PER (Player Efficiency Rating) of 16.7 last season ranked third on the team, and he posted a 20+ point performance in 12 games. Yet his role never quite stabilized. Some games he logged 35 minutes and ran the floor with confidence; other nights, he was yanked after a couple of turnovers and left to wonder what went wrong.

Some teams that were previously rumored to have interest—like the Spurs, Pistons, and Magic—have gone quiet, either due to draft picks, roster moves, or financial inflexibility. There’s also the question of what kind of deal he can reasonably expect now. If the $30 million per year figure remains his benchmark, few suitors are lining up. But if he becomes open to a two-year bridge deal with a player option, or a shorter-term pact that allows him to hit unrestricted free agency sooner, his list of potential landing spots could expand quickly.

The Warriors, for now, are playing the long game. They don’t appear eager to match a large offer sheet, but they also won’t let him walk for nothing. General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has been clear that they expect value in return if Kuminga goes, and with only limited leverage remaining, Kuminga’s camp may soon have to decide: stick to the $30 million ask and risk sitting out, or compromise to find a new home before training camp begins.

Fans are torn. Some view Kuminga’s confidence as refreshing—a player who believes in himself and isn’t content riding the bench. Others see hubris: a young, inconsistent talent turning down generational wealth and asking for more despite a shrinking résumé. But one thing is certain—the fracture between Kuminga and the Warriors has grown too wide to mend.

It’s a rare scenario: a high-upside 22-year-old, still on the cusp of a breakout, at odds with one of the NBA’s most successful franchises of the last decade. And with both sides appearing dug in, it’s now a waiting game. Will another team blink and make an aggressive offer? Will the Warriors pull off a sign-and-trade before the standoff stretches into the fall? Or will Kuminga find himself back in a Golden State jersey despite wanting out?

Only time will tell, but one thing is clear—Jonathan Kuminga no longer sees his future in the Bay Area. And until his price comes down or a team bites, he remains the most talented free agent left unsigned in the NBA.