Jonathan Kuminga re-signs with Warriors after months-long contract stalemate

SAN FRANCISCO – After addressing the assembled media for about 17 minutes on Monday, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy rose from his seat, strolled toward the exit and allowed himself an audible expression of delight.Dunleavy started clapping his hands. Not because he survived a contentious news conference because it was anything but. More likely because he felt no need to conceal his sense of feeling victory at the finish line.In the prolonged matter of the Golden State Warriors v. Jonathan Kuminga, Dunleavy and the Warriors prevailed. The process was long and fraught with angst within Dub Nation, but they achieved a desirable outcome.“We’ve got everything signed, sealed, delivered roster-wise and (we’re) pretty excited about this group, about this season,” Dunleavy said in his opening statement. “(We) feel like we made some really good additions and obviously have some really good key returning players as well as some young guys that we think will be able to take a step.“The main thing here is the team we put together, we feel like will be in the mix this season.”Health permitting, the GM is correct. Golden State’s 2025-26 roster is, on paper, capable of a top-six finish in the Western Conference, bypassing the play-in tournament.Dunleavy and his front office comrades entered the offseason exploring potential sign-and-trade deals in which they would replace Kuminga with someone more compatible with core players Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler III. When nothing acceptable materialized, they entered negotiations with Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner.In the end, with Kuminga signing on Tuesday, the Warriors made small compromises but no painful concessions. They won the four issues most relevant to the franchise now and in the years to come.-They didn’t budge from their desire to have a team option, despite Turner and Kuminga pushing for a player option.-They avoided &dollar;8 million qualifying offer that was on the table. Neither side really wanted to take that route, but it would have been particularly harmful to future team-building options.-They got the sizable salary slot (&dollar;22.5 million in 2025-26) that can be used to balance a future transaction. They are in position to, one way or another, expect a return on their four-year-plus investment in Kuminga.-They retained the flexibility to trade Kuminga. They can explore possibilities for a deal within the three-week window between Jan. 15 and the Feb. 5 trade deadline. If nothing materializes, they can revisit options next summer.The process that began with Kuminga entering restricted free agency and ended with him re-signing with the Warriors stretched out over 92 days. It was at times grueling, and always required exercises in patience and restraint. The contract is worth &dollar;48.5 million over two seasons, with only the first guaranteed.Dunleavy worked alongside Golden State CEO Joe Lacob, executive vice president Kirk Lacob and chief strategist Jon Phelps, who joined the franchise last summer after 10 seasons in the front office of the Detroit Pistons. As the resident “capologist,” Phelps’ advice is crucial to anything Dunleavy or the Lacobs wish to do regarding contracts and the salary cap.“I don’t know what I’d do without Jon,” Dunleavy said. ‘I’m fortunate to work with a great group. He’s one of the guys in that group. I’ve got a great team, support staff.“Jon and his group, they know their stuff in and out and really was a valuable resource for me to be able to rely on, ask questions, understand. And, frankly, after this summer I feel like I’m an expert on the cap and restricted free agency and aprons and all that stuff.”In a 14-hour window between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, the Warriors signed Kuminga, followed by Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton and Seth Curry. All three veterans bring something the team needs.Horford, who projects as the starting center, is highly skilled with a 3-point shot so respected it spreads the floor. Once Melton is fully recovered from surgery on his left ACL – he’ll be reevaluated in four weeks – his two-way attributes will allow him to compete to be Stephen Curry’s partner in the starting lineup. Seth Curry, who last season led the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage, will be a sharpshooter off the bench once he is elevated to standard contract next monthThe journey to this Warriors roster was long and at times dusty. There were peaks and valleys and, of course, Turner’s brazen late-September media campaign.The destination, though, was satisfying for the Warriors. Patience was rewarded. Their fans can breathe and hope, sigh and anticipate, cross their fingers and squint. Some may be moved to cheer. Or even clap.Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

Jonathan Kuminga re-signs with Warriors after months-long contract stalemate

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