Report: Warriors have ‘optimism’ that Jonathan Kuminga will re-sign

The market for the restricted free agent seems to be dry.

Per Andscape’s Marc J. Spears, there appears to be “optimism” that Jonathan Kuminga will re-sign with the Golden State Warriors.

“There seems to be optimism in the Warriors’ camp that (Kuminga) will re-sign,” Spears said. “He will be a restricted free agent. This market’s not great for him. There’s one NBA GM who told me, ‘What has he proven to be worth what his agent wants?’”

If Kuminga opts to return to the Warriors with no offer sheet tendered by other teams, he will have to accept the $7.9 million qualifying offer to spend one more season with the team that drafted him, after which he will become an unrestricted free agent, giving him more freedom to pick and choose his next destination.

Of course, a Kuminga return will be difficult for both parties. A Warriors organization that is looking to capitalize on the twilight years of Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green should be looking to surround them with pieces that complement their skill sets and the team’s ethos on offense and defense. In his four seasons with the Warriors, Kuminga has struggled to fit in and complement the core, despite being blessed with athletic talent. He is seeking a situation that doesn’t necessarily align with the team’s goals; another season of the push and pull between player and coaching staff will make for an awkward situation, and perhaps another season of unclear priorities.