No extension for Jonathan Kuminga, Warriors

Fourth-year forward Jonathan Kuminga I won't be signing a rookie scale extension with that warrior ahead of Monday's deadline, according to reports from Shams Charania and Kendra Andrews of ESPN and Anthony Slater of The Athletic.

The two sides have discussed a possible extension since Kuminga became eligible in July but were never able to reach fruition, according to ESPN. With no deal in place, the 22-year-old remains on track to become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2025.

According to Slater, the Warriors and the forward had “never been this close” in their negotiations. While Kuminga would have accepted a deal below his maximum, Golden State would not have increased his offer above about $30 million per year. A max deal would have been worth around $43 million to $45 million per year.

Kuminga had a breakout season in 2023-24, averaging 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game on .529/.321/.746 shooting in 74 appearances (26.3 MPG).

Kuminga enjoyed his best spell of the year shortly after a report in January suggested he had lost confidence in the head coach Steve Kerr. The two men reportedly met to sort things out and Kuminga began to play a more prominent role. From January 12 to March 26, he averaged 20.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 2.7 APG on .547/.377/.778 shooting in 34 games before fading out toward the end of the season a tendonitis in the knee was affected.

Charania reported last week that Kuminga was comfortable with the idea of ​​betting on himself in a contract year. And while the Warriors have stats that compare his growth so far favorably to that of stars like him Kawhi Leonard, Pascal SiakamAnd Jaylen BrownThey want to see how he develops in 2024-25, sources tell ESPN. Golden State continues to monitor its fit with Kerr, according to Charania and Andrews.

After making 46 of his 74 regular-season appearances last season, Kuminga is expected to be in the starting lineup for Wednesday's opening game against Portland, sources tell Slater. Team sources have described it as being “important” for the forward to be in the starting lineup, according to Charania and Andrews, although he told ESPN that being in the starting lineup or coming off the bench isn't a problem for him .

Kuminga will make about $7.6 million in the final year of his rookie contract and remains trade-eligible this season before reaching restricted free agency next July.

The Warriors agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract with their other rookie extension candidate, Moses Moodyon Sunday.