"I feel prepared": Jonathan Kuminga believes it will be his year with the Warriors
The soap opera of the summer at Golden State Warriors is over with the player that Steve Kerr doesn't like renewed
Two days after ending a contract standoff that lasted 92 days, Jonathan Kuminga participated in his first practice of the season with the Golden State Warriors, the only team he has known in the NBA.
Just an hour and a half later, the forward spoke with local media about the peculiarity of the situation. He had just signed a two-year, $46.8 million contract, an agreement that theoretically signifies commitment between player and franchise. However, the background of the negotiation and the structure of the deal suggest otherwise.
Kuminga accepted the raise from the qualifying offer of $7.9 million, although, sources say, he did so conditioned by the inclusion of a team option and the waiver of his no-trade clause. This feeds the perception that the extension makes him a trade chip for January when he will be eligible to be moved. Over the summer, both he and his agent, Aaron Turner, explored sign-and-trade options with teams like the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns.
Asked about his future in San Francisco, Kuminga replied, "I'm here now. That's everyone's goal, to stay somewhere longer. You never know what can happen, but for now, that's my goal. That's what I want to achieve, to be here for longer."
The next question was whether the Warriors also wanted him long-term. "I would say yes, based on me being back. In the end, we'll see where this takes us. My focus is on this season, on pushing and really helping to win. You never know what can happen, but I'm happy to be back," he noted.
On Thursday, the Warriors completed their third practice of the season. The rest of the roster had already been training together in previous weeks and even organized a minicamp in San Diego under Jimmy Butler's initiative. Kuminga, engrossed in negotiations, did not participate in those sessions and delayed the five-on-five games until finalizing his agreement. Although he admitted feeling somewhat behind, coach Steve Kerr emphasized that he arrived in good shape and looked solid in the first scrimmage.
"It's a business," he reflected on the protracted negotiation. "In the end, what matters is that we resolved it and I'm excited to be here."
With the contract matter settled, attention now shifts to what he can contribute on the court. "Just help win. Find ways to contribute on both ends, defense, offense, be a piece that helps add victories and, hopefully, win a championship," he stated.
Kuminga turns the page after his renewal
The player acknowledged hearing criticisms about his supposed focus on offense and promised a greater defensive impact. "Whether it's defense, marking the best player, I'll do it. If today it's about scoring, I'll score. If today it's about defending certain opponents, I'll do it. That's what I expect, and I'm open-minded."
Kuminga will also debut a new number this season. He leaves behind the 00 he used in his first four campaigns and will wear the 1, the same number he wore in high school. "I feel like it's a fresh start," he affirmed. "I'm ready."
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, "Me siento preparado": Jonathan Kuminga cree que será su año en los Warriors
