The Golden State Warriors are expected to extend forward Jonathan Kuminga his $7.9-million qualifying offer before seeking a sign-and-trade this offseason, sources told The Athletic's Anthony Slater and Marcus Thompson II.
Kuminga is in the final season of his four-year, $24.85-million rookie deal and is scheduled to become a restricted free agent this summer.
The 22-year-old is coming off an up-and-down campaign. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 47 regular-season games. However, head coach Steve Kerr took Kuminga out of the rotation for the majority of the first round versus the Houston Rockets; Kuminga racked up four DNPs in Round 1 and played only 50 minutes in the seven-game series.
A hamstring injury to Steph Curry in Game 1 of the second round against the Minnesota Timberwolves gave the former lottery pick an opportunity for extended playing time. After a seven-point night in the first game, Kuminga rattled off 18-, 30-, 23-, and 26-point outings in the next four contests.
Kuminga said at the Warriors' season-ending media availability that he doesn't know what the future holds.
"I'm just grateful to be here," Kuminga said, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "Still got a long summer to figure things out."
Kuminga added that he has a good relationship with Kerr despite their "ups and downs," per Youngmisuk.
"There are certainly things he has to improve on, but he's 22 years old," Warriors owner Joe Lacob told Slater and Thompson. "He's got a hell of a lot of potential, and I would think he would be a part of our future plans. Now we'll have to see how the market all shakes out. We have a lot of evaluating to do."
Lacob is a big supporter of Kuminga and was reportedly a persuasive influence in the organization's decision to draft him seventh overall in 2021.
The Warriors have $171 million in projected salary for next season with a first-apron threshold of $195.9 million, per ESPN's Bobby Marks. Most of that money is tied up in Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green.
Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney, Gui Santos, Quinten Post, Pat Spencer (restricted), and Kevin Knox are expected to hit the free-agent market this summer.
