Where Jonathan Kuminga's contract saga with Warriors stands entering September
The ongoing saga between the Warriors and restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga has persisted past Labor Day. NBA training camp is in four weeks, and the Oct. 1 deadline for Kuminga to accept the qualifying offer is under a month away. So, where are the two sides?
Still miles apart it appears.
The one-year, $7.9 million qualifying offer remains the most attractive offer to Kuminga at the moment, sources continue to tell NBC Sports Bay Area. The Warriors have offered a two-year contract worth roughly $45 million, but are holding strong to a team option for the second year, while Kuminga and his camp have made it clear they want a player option for Year 2.
To ensure Kuminga doesn’t sign the qualifying offer, which essentially would eliminate any option of trading him this season and severely hurt roster building, the Warriors will have to convince him what they’re proposing is that much better than the last resort. The first way to do that is ceding the team option for a player option. The second is simply to give him more money up front, making the team option less of a sticking point in the end.
Year 1 of the Warriors’ offer is $21.75 million, per sources, but because of the base salary compensation rule, Kuminga’s outgoing salary is equal to half of that. So, much of this entire situation comes down to control.
Through four years, Kuminga and the Warriors have yet to find common ground on who he presently is as a player, who he can be with more opportunities and who he will be in the future. The way this offseason has played out only has furthered Kuminga’s desire to control his own destiny and how his future plays out. Kuminga wants to make sure that no matter who his next employer is, he’s comfortable and confident he is being set up for success from the start.
There has been confusion as to why Kuminga would hold steady to the inherent no-trade clause of a qualifying offer, as well as a player option for the second year with the assumption he wants to be somewhere else aside from the Warriors. Kuminga doesn’t want to be used as a “pawn” for a team where he has seen himself as the scapegoat, and he still doesn’t fully know what his role will be going into his fifth NBA season with the likelihood that he still isn’t a starter and might not close games.
With an aging core of Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green, letting Kuminga sign the qualifying offer would take away the Warriors’ best asset at the NBA trade deadline for another big-time name. Kuminga then would have zero trade value because no team can extend off that. Golden State loses his Bird Rights, Kuminga’s Warriors tenure would be done after this next season without getting anything back for him after spurning multiple trade offers for him in previous years, and the situation would make Kuminga a distraction, at least in a media sense, all season because of the nature of the qualifying offer.
The nightmare scenario the qualifying offer presents digs a far bigger hole for the Warriors than it does for Kuminga.
The main example of the qualifying offer risks for Kuminga is Nerlens Noel. The Dallas Mavericks in the summer of 2017 initially offered Noel a four-year, $70 million contract that he spurned in hopes of signing a maximum contract offer that never came. He then instead signed a $4.1 million qualifying offer with the Mavs, but greatly disappointed in an injury-filled season where Noel only played 30 games and averaged 4.4 points.
Noel signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder the next offseason on a two-year, veteran’s minimum contract.
Here’s the difference: Noel already missed his entire rookie year because of a torn ACL, and missed 31 games the season going into his contract dispute. At the time of turning down $70 million, Noel had averaged 10.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while averaging 27.6 minutes. He never was the scoring option Kuminga is and was in a different contractual world than him.
Kuminga doesn’t have a $66 million gap between the contract he’s being offered and the qualifying offer. The gap really is a little more than $13 million when looking at the one-year qualifying offer and the first year of the contract the Warriors currently have on the table. He surely would have insurance policies to lessen the risk, too. The former No. 7 overall pick turns 23 years old on Oct. 6 and is confident his next contract easily will exceed $13 million annually.
The Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns both offered Kuminga long-term contracts, empowering him with a starting role and making it known he’d be their power forward of the future. Contracts from the Kings and Suns included a player option, according to sources, but both were dependent on the Warriors agreeing to a sign-and-trade that never enticed their front office enough to do so.
None of the NBA’s four restricted free agents – Kuminga, Josh Giddey, Cam Thomas and Quinten Grimes – have signed a contract yet. The first domino must fall soon. Nothing is close between the Warriors and Kuminga, sources say, with both sides waiting for someone to blink first.
Micah McFadden is down but far from out—get ready for a comeback that’ll make waves
In a season full of intense competition and high expectations, Micah McFadden, the key linebacker for the New York Giants, found himself carted off the field after an injury that had fans holding their breath. But in a show of unmatched resilience, McFadden wasn’t about to let this injury define him.
“They tried to take me out, but I’m not going anywhere,” McFadden said, his voice filled with determination. “I’ll be back stronger than ever!” These words have resonated throughout the Giants’ locker room, sending a clear message: Micah McFadden isn’t the type of player who gives up, no matter how tough the situation gets.
As McFadden was carted off the field during the game, many feared the worst. Fans, teammates, and coaches alike waited in suspense for an update on his condition. The linebacker has been an essential part of the Giants’ defense, providing leadership, strength, and a never-back-down attitude that has made him one of the most reliable players on the team.
However, the news that followed was more positive than anyone had anticipated. The injury, while serious, wasn’t as catastrophic as initially thought. McFadden’s road to recovery is underway, and the Giants’ coaching staff is already preparing for his return. McFadden’s statement about his commitment to come back stronger than ever only reinforced the hope that his impact will be felt again soon.
A Player Who Defines Resilience
McFadden’s career has been characterized by his hard-hitting style of play and his ability to inspire his teammates with his work ethic. It’s clear that this injury won’t stop him from pushing forward. His commitment to the team and his unwavering resolve have set the tone for the rest of the squad.
“I’m not going to let this setback keep me down for long,” McFadden added. “I know what I’m capable of, and I’m going to prove that to myself, my teammates, and our fans.”
For McFadden, this injury is just another challenge to overcome. He’s faced adversity before and has always come out on top. His focus now is on the recovery process, working tirelessly to get back on the field and continue to be the force he’s always been for the Giants.
The Impact on the Giants’ Defense
The loss of McFadden, even temporarily, has left a noticeable gap in the Giants’ defense. He has been one of the team’s most dynamic linebackers, consistently making plays that keep opposing offenses on edge. His leadership on and off the field has been invaluable, and his absence has been felt by both players and fans alike.
However, the Giants’ defensive unit has rallied together, knowing that McFadden’s determination to return will make them stronger as a whole. His words have fired up the team, and there’s a renewed sense of urgency to keep fighting through challenges until their linebacker is back in action.
A Team Built on Strength
Micah McFadden’s injury setback is just that—a setback. It’s not the end of his journey or the end of his season. In fact, it might just be the beginning of an even greater comeback story. His resilience is an example to the entire team and to fans everywhere that true strength lies not just in physical ability but in mental fortitude and perseverance.
As the Giants continue their season, the focus remains on McFadden’s recovery. His promise to return stronger than ever is one the team can stand behind, knowing that when he’s back, he’ll not only continue to lead but will also inspire everyone around him to keep pushing forward.
“I’m not going anywhere,” McFadden reiterated. “I’ll be back, and when I do, you’ll see just how much stronger I’ve become.”
For the New York Giants, this promise is more than just words—it’s the heart and soul of what makes a champion. And Micah McFadden is showing us all that he’s far from done.
