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Representatives of Golden State and Jonathan Kuminga recently engaged in discussions regarding a potential extension to his rookie deal, but reports suggest that they were not able to come to an agreement. Kuminga, who was selected as the No. 7 pick in the 2021 NBA draft, reportedly feels that he is deserving of a max contract or a deal near that amount. However, the Warriors are not prepared to offer him such a lucrative contract at this time. Kuminga appears to be taking a gamble on his abilities, believing that if he can prove himself as the second key scorer alongside Stephen Curry for the Warriors, he will be able to command a higher salary next summer. This decision reflects his confidence in his own skills and potential for growth in the NBA.

The Warriors are willing to pay it if Kuminga consistently raises his game to that level, according to

Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report in a video

hat tip Hoops Rumors

Real GM

"The Warriors will be happy to pay Jonathan Kuminga that top dollar if that sample size is stretched out over the entire course of the 2024/25 season," Fischer said.

Other teams are watching this play out and are ready to jump in, Fischer adds — the Nets and the 76ers.

Brooklyn is the one team projected to have enough cap space next summer to go after a free agent, and while Kuminga would be restricted Brooklyn could make an offer Golden State does not want to match. It's not that the Nets are targeting Kuminga, Fischer notes, but he adds that during the last rebuild in Brooklyn (before the Kevin Durant/Kyrie Irving era) GM Sean Marks did go after several restricted free agents with big offer sheets and that could happen again here.

"There's already been rumblings of Brooklyn potentially willing to throw a big offer sheet at Jonathan Kuminga," Fischer said.

The other team mentioned is the 76ers, who would have to arrange a trade, likely using K.J. Martin's contract with picks.

"The Sixers have definitely indicated around the league and behind the scenes that they are willing to pay to add in another piece," said Fischer. "They are willing to spend their draft capital."

The most likely outcome is that Kuminga re-signs with Golden State next summer, but if he wants a near-max contract, he's going to have to play better than he has through the first two games of the season (two points on 1-of-5 shooting Friday night in a blowout win over Utah). However, if things between Kuminga and the Warriors get tense, this is something to watch next summer.