Kuminga's agent: 'A lot of upside' if he signs Warriors' qualifying offer

Restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga is seriously considering the Golden State Warriors' $7.9-million qualifying offer as contract talks remain deadlocked with the regular season just a month away.

"There's a lot of upside if he wants to pick where he wants to go and the opportunity to be an unrestricted free agent in a way better market," Kuminga's agent, Aaron Turner, said on an episode of ESPN's "The Hoop Collective" podcast released Friday.

"The QO is real, for sure. It's being considered completely. It's being talked about."

Kuminga has until Oct. 1 to sign the qualifying offer, which would end a prolonged offseason saga and return the 22-year-old to Golden State for 2025-26. While the qualifying offer comes with a $7.9-million salary far below what the Warriors have apparently offered in negotiations, it would include a no-trade clause for the year and potentially allow Kuminga to command a more lucrative contract next summer.

Golden State reportedly offered Kuminga a three-year deal worth $75.2 million with a team option in the final season. However, the forward prefers a player option, which would allow him to retain some control of his future if he's traded before then.

"We haven't said no to a team option," Turner said. "Our theory and feeling is, though, if you want a team option, and you want to get rid of his no-trade clause, which the QO inherently has, OK, that's a different price.

"You've got to pay for that. You've got to put more on top if you want both."

Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 47 games last season but lost his place in the rotation after the Warriors acquired Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline. Head coach Steve Kerr also made Kuminga a healthy scratch in four of the team's seven first-round games against the Houston Rockets.

Restricted free agents seldom sign qualifying offers, as the financial security usually pales in comparison to long-term proposals tabled by their own teams or offer sheets from elsewhere. However, this year's market for restricted free agents has been slower than usual due to a dearth of open cap space around the NBA and front offices wary of roster-constructing penalties triggered by luxury tax thresholds.

Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas led the team in scoring at 24 points per game last season but settled for a $6-million qualifying offer earlier in September after failing to agree on a long-term deal. Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey, who averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists in 70 games in 2024-25, spent over two months as a restricted free agent before signing a four-year, $100-million contract.