Mike Dunleavy Finally Speaks Publicly About the Jonathan Kuminga Contract Negotiations

The Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga finally came to an agreement. After a full summer of unproductive contract negotiations, it seems like the two sides came to an agreement on a deal that at least the Warriors are happy with. 

Kuminga’s camp wanted a player option on the final year of the deal, but the Warriors didn’t budge and ended up getting the team option they were hoping for. 

Warriors General Manager Mike Dunleavy was recently asked about the Kuminga contract negotiation, and this is what he said:

“As far as the negotiations go, it was fair, reasonable, no issues on my end. I think just sometimes these things take time… I feel good about the deal we’ve done, and really, the deal for JK, I think it’s good for both sides. As far as the team goes and what that contract structure means, really it comes down to the way I feel about the team. We’re in great shape. Much better shape than we were this time last year…We feel like we have a player that can be really good, and I don’t feel like there’s a need to make a move. Now we will see how the season unfolds…We have a lot of guys on the team that have value around the league and could be traded, but I think the structure is more so what works for us and the player.”

As far as Dunleavy and the Warriors front office are concerned, they want Kuminga to stay a Warrior. If he proves that he can play the role they need him to compete at the highest level, he should be safe from being traded. Unfortunately, that is a big if. Kuminga hasn’t yet proved he can do that, which is why many people believe the Warriors will trade him the first chance they have.

So, although Dunleavy is saying that there are no hard feelings and the Warriors want to keep Kuminga, time will tell whether that is true.