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Kuminga more focused on Year 4 growth than new Warriors contract initially appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
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 coming into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie deal, and whereas he formally was in a position to 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, nonetheless, 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 — stated throughout Warriors Media Day at Chase Heart when requested if a contract will get finished within the subsequent month. “I do not know what is going on to occur. It will likely be good, however that is not my concern. Like I stated, 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 seeking a maximum 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 turning into extra of a “full participant” this summer season, sharpening his capturing capability with intense offseason exercises which have caught Dub Nation’s consideration on-line.
For Kuminga, the work is finished with one aim in thoughts.
“Simply to have a fantastic season,” Kuminga stated. “The higher I play, the extra useful it’s to our workforce, to everybody’s success. I am simply trying to go on the market and simply carry out my greatest and simply assist us win as many video games as we are able to.
“Possibly wanting on the larger image, everybody in all probability desires to win a championship, issues like that, but it surely’s too early to say that. That is just about my aim, simply wanting ahead to go on the market and share a courtroom with the brand new gamers we simply received, with a few of the guys which were right here for a very long time, and simply having a fantastic season.”
Kuminga took a serious 12 months 3 leap throughout 2023-24 season, averaging 16.1 points on 52.9-percent capturing with 4.8 rebounds and a pair of.2 assists in 26.3 minutes per recreation. 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 precisely what the Warriors need after Klay Thompson’s departure to the Dallas Mavericks, and the workforce’s lack of ability to amass stars like Lauri Markkanen and Paul George this offseason. Kuminga’s minutes — and stats — have risen steadily over the past three years, however sources advised 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 want to keep him.
“Yeah, we’re working by way of that with them and their illustration proper now,” Warriors common supervisor Mike Dunleavy advised reporters Thursday about negotiations with each Kuminga and Moody. “We have just a few extra weeks. Good, optimistic conversations, with out entering into an excessive amount of element. I believe no matter whether or not we get one thing finished or not, we would like these guys right here.”
So, Kuminga’s fourth 12 months may characteristic him taking part in with the luxurious of getting signed a profitable new contract. Or, he might have yet another full season to show he is actually definitely worth the money.
After having fun with what he described as among the best summers of his life, Kuminga comes into whichever state of affairs awaits him with some refined expertise on the courtroom, and a greater sense of himself off of it.
“My recreation, understanding issues that I love to do apart from taking part in basketball, studying extra in regards to the work,” Kuminga stated of his self-improvement efforts this summer season. “When you’re caught an excessive amount of in basketball, you do not get to do various things. So simply having fun with simply touring, going to totally different style exhibits, and simply assembly new folks. And clearly my new look. That is just about it.”
Kuminga loved the perfect 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 stated. “I am very excited, wanting ahead to it. It will be a fantastic season. So I simply can’t wait to begin.”
