A $224 Million Max Contract! Kuminga's Bold Move: Warriors’ New Franchise Cornerstone?

Jonathan Kuminga's audacious demand for a five-year, $224 million max contract extension from the Golden State Warriors has left many fans and analysts scratching their heads. The timing of Kuminga's request is particularly intriguing, coming shortly after Lauri Markkanen secured his own five-year, $238 million extension with the Utah Jazz. It seems that Kuminga is banking on the Warriors' failed attempt to trade for Markkanen, believing that the team will now turn its attention to securing its young talent—himself included. Kuminga is clearly aiming to capitalize on the Warriors' current situation, pushing for a deal that would maximize his financial gain.

Selected as the 7th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Kuminga signed a four-year, $24.86 million rookie contract with the Warriors. Under the current CBA rules, he is eligible for a five-year extension this summer, with a starting salary that could reach 25% of the salary cap for the 2025-26 season (or 30% if he qualifies under the designated rookie criteria). The deadline for an early extension is October 21, and Kuminga is keen to secure his future.

Kuminga's sense of urgency is understandable, especially considering the recent extensions handed out to his fellow 2021 draftees. Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes, and Franz Wagner—each of whom was selected around Kuminga in the draft—have all secured max rookie contract extensions with their respective teams. Watching his peers enjoy lucrative deals is bound to make Kuminga eager to secure his own.

However, it's worth questioning whether Kuminga has truly earned the massive payday he’s asking for. While his potential is undeniable, and he has shown flashes of brilliance, his current level of performance may not justify such an enormous contract. Last season, Kuminga finally cemented his place in the Warriors’ starting lineup, averaging 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 52.9% from the field. However, his three-point shooting remains a significant area for improvement, as he only connected on 31.1% of his attempts, averaging 0.7 makes per game.

Kuminga's talent is evident, and he’s steadily improving. If he can develop a more consistent outside shot and enhance his ball-handling skills, there’s little doubt that he could become an All-Star caliber player in the future. According to his trainer, Kuminga has been putting in extensive work this offseason, focusing on ball-handling, shooting, passing, defense, isolation moves, and mastering the mid-range game. However, it’s important to note that Kuminga is no longer seen as the Warriors’ franchise cornerstone. If he were, he likely wouldn’t have been included in trade discussions for Markkanen earlier this year.

The Warriors’ current young star in the making appears to be Brandin Podziemski. Last season, Podziemski impressed as a rookie, averaging 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. If the Warriors had been willing to part with Podziemski in a trade, they might already have Markkanen on their roster. Given that Kuminga is not viewed as the future of the franchise, it’s unlikely that the Warriors will offer him a $224 million max contract extension.

Max rookie extensions are typically reserved for players like Cade Cunningham, who is already the focal point of his team’s offense and a clear-cut franchise player. In contrast, Kuminga is still competing for the third option role behind Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, who remain the team’s primary leaders.

Some might argue that the Warriors have mishandled Kuminga, stunting his development by not giving him a more prominent role. It’s possible that Kuminga could thrive on a weaker team, where he could be given more freedom to showcase his skills. However, the NBA is littered with examples of talented players whose potential was never fully realized after being given too much responsibility too soon.

Even if the Warriors don’t agree to an extension this summer, they still hold all the cards. Kuminga’s rookie contract runs through the 2024-25 season, and the Warriors hold a team option for that final year. This gives the team two more seasons of control before Kuminga can become a restricted free agent. As a result, the Warriors have no reason to rush into a max extension, especially given Kuminga’s current standing within the organization.

Moreover, by not locking Kuminga into a long-term deal now, the Warriors maintain flexibility to explore trade opportunities involving him. If Kuminga can elevate his game to an All-Star level, the Warriors might reconsider their stance and offer a lucrative deal. But as things stand, the prospect of Kuminga securing a $224 million extension seems unlikely.

For Kuminga, the best course of action may be to continue refining his game and proving his worth on the court. While his aspirations for a max contract are ambitious, they might also be premature given his current role and production. The Warriors, for their part, will likely adopt a wait-and-see approach, allowing Kuminga to either play his way into a massive payday or serve as a valuable trade asset down the line.

Ultimately, Kuminga’s future with the Warriors remains uncertain. He has the potential to be a key contributor, but whether that potential will translate into a max contract or a trade to another team is yet to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Kuminga’s bold request has set the stage for an intriguing offseason negotiation that will have significant implications for both his career and the Warriors’ long-term plans.