The Golden State Warriors drafted Jonathan Kuminga seventh overall in 2021 with hopes that he could be one of the next great Warriors next to Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.

After fitting in during his first two seasons, Kuminga exploded in 2023-24, averaging 16.1 points 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. After another strong season in 2024-25 (15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists), the Warriors had to make a decision at the end of his rookie contract. While his numbers were solid, there was an obvious disconnect between him and head coach Steve Kerr as Kuminga’s playing time was inconsistent and his role fluctuated.

Negotiations dragged on until almost October, when he signed a two-year, $46.8 million deal with a team option.

Kuminga didn’t even make it the full season with his new contract as the Warriors traded him to the Atlanta Hawks at the trade deadline.

Jonathan Kuminga's agent, Aaron Turner appeared on FanDuel’s Run It Back and gave insight into what happened between his client and the Warriors, saying it was “the weirdest negotiation of all-time” as Kerr said that Kuminga “didn’t fit” alongside Curry, Draymond, and Jimmy Butler, who was acquired in 2025, but the owner wanted to pay him over $20 million per season.

Turner said that they opted to take a shorter deal because it was more tradeable. He said that Kuminga would’ve taken his qualifying offer, which would’ve paid him $7.9 million and allowed him to enter unrestricted free agency in 2026, but there was no role for him to prove that he was worth more in the offseason.

Kuminga continued to have an undefined role with the Warriors for the first half of the 2025-26 season before he was traded.

It was obvious that Kuminga didn’t fit with what Kerr and the Warriors wanted to do and the 2024-25 season was the beginning of the end.

Maybe the Warriors could’ve been more accommodating; maybe Kuminga could’ve been more flexible.

In Atlanta, Kuminga provided similar value, but it wasn’t enough for the Hawks to pick up his team option or work out a different extension with him, opting to look elsewhere for help.

Kuminga will not have a new opportunity to prove himself as he signed a two-year, $12.4 million deal with the Timberwolves. The deal includes a player option, which means if Kuminga proves himself this season, he can cash in next offseason.