Kuminga extra centered on 12 months 4 progress than new Warriors contract initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Bay Space
SAN FRANCISCO — Jonathan Kuminga hopes he’ll signal a contract extension with the Warriors, however the fourth-year ahead’s focus is elsewhere because the 2024-25 NBA season approaches.
The 2021 NBA Draft lottery choose is getting into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie deal, and whereas he formally was capable of start negotiating with Golden State in July, the Warriors and Kuminga have but to succeed in an settlement. No matter the place issues find yourself, nevertheless, the 21-year-old on Monday made it clear his sole dedication is to creating an influence on the courtroom this season.
“Hopefully. Solely God is aware of,” Kuminga — rocking a brand new bleach-blonde buzzcut — mentioned throughout Warriors Media Day at Chase Middle when requested if a contract will get performed within the subsequent month. “I do not know what is going on to occur. It is going to be good, however that is not my concern. Like I mentioned, I am simply completely happy to be right here, completely happy to begin a brand new season, fourth 12 months, and issues are going to by itself deal with.
“I might like to have it, however I am probably not involved about it. If I get it, if I do not, it is cool. I am nonetheless going to be me. I am going to simply go on the market and carry out. However that is not an issue.”
There are three weeks till the Oct. 21 extension deadline for Kuminga, and the younger professional reportedly is looking for a most five-year, $224 million contract. In any other case, he’ll enter restricted free company subsequent July. The identical goes for Kuminga’s teammate and fellow 2021 lottery choose Moses Moody.
Kuminga has stored himself busy within the meantime by changing into extra of a “full participant” this summer time, sharpening his capturing skill with intense offseason exercises which have caught Dub Nation’s consideration on-line.
For Kuminga, the work is finished with one objective in thoughts.
“Simply to have a terrific season,” Kuminga mentioned. “The higher I play, the extra useful it’s to our crew, to everybody’s success. I am simply seeking to go on the market and simply carry out my greatest and simply assist us win as many video games as we will.
“Possibly trying on the greater image, everybody most likely needs to win a championship, issues like that, nevertheless it’s too early to say that. That is just about my objective, simply trying ahead to go on the market and share a courtroom with the brand new gamers we simply acquired, with a number of the guys which were right here for a very long time, and simply having a terrific season.”
Kuminga took a significant 12 months 3 leap throughout 2023-24 season, averaging 16.1 factors on 52.9-percent capturing with 4.8 rebounds and a pair of.2 assists in 26.3 minutes per sport. He appeared in 74 contests and began 46 of them, and his odds of constructing coach Steve Kerr’s beginning lineup this 12 months are excessive.
Now in 12 months 4, Kuminga at his greatest is exactly what the Warriors want after Klay Thompson’s departure to the Dallas Mavericks, and the crew’s lack of ability to accumulate stars like Lauri Markkanen and Paul George this offseason. Kuminga’s minutes — and stats — have risen steadily during the last three years, however sources instructed NBC Sports activities Bay Space’s Monte Poole the Warriors are unwilling to go as excessive as a max contract regardless of how a lot they need to maintain him.
“Yeah, we’re working by way of that with them and their illustration proper now,” Warriors common supervisor Mike Dunleavy instructed reporters Thursday about negotiations with each Kuminga and Moody. “We have got a number of extra weeks. Good, constructive conversations, with out moving into an excessive amount of element. I believe no matter whether or not we get one thing performed or not, we would like these guys right here.”
So, Kuminga’s fourth 12 months may characteristic him enjoying with the luxurious of getting signed a profitable new contract. Or, he might have another full season to show he is actually well worth the money.
After having fun with what he described as probably the greatest summers of his life, Kuminga comes into whichever scenario awaits him with some refined expertise on the courtroom, and a greater sense of himself off of it.
“My sport, realizing issues that I love to do apart from enjoying basketball, studying extra in regards to the work,” Kuminga mentioned of his self-improvement efforts this summer time. “When you’re caught an excessive amount of in basketball, you aren’t getting to do various things. So simply having fun with simply touring, going to completely different trend reveals, and simply assembly new individuals. And clearly my new look. That is just about it.”
Kuminga loved the very best statistical marketing campaign of his younger profession final season, although it had its fair proportion of ups and downs. Now, he and his new hairdo will look to construct upon that success — with or with no payday.
“I am itching, cannot wait,” Kuminga mentioned. “I am very excited, trying ahead to it. It is going to be a terrific season. So I simply can’t wait to begin.”
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