The NBA rookie extension deadline came and went with Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga failing to receive a big contract extension. That was expected, with Kuminga reportedly wanting $225 million and Golden State clearly not wanting to pay him that much.
Perhaps more interestingly, the Warriors opted to give fellow 2021 lottery pick Moses Moody a 3-year, $39 million extension even though he hasn't been a consistent part of the rotation through the first three years of his career.
That extension was probably done to possibly trade Moody if he can earn a consistent role this season. Meanwhile, Kuminga's future in Golden State is far less certain. Several teams will have enough cap space to try to lure him away from Golden State in the summer of 2025. That reportedly includes the Brooklyn Nets, who could have as much as $80 million in cap space, according to Bleacher Reports' Jake Fischer.
Given that the Nets traded Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks for five first-round picks, they are clearly in rebuilding mode. They would be wise to take a shot at signing Kuminga considering he has yet to be given the keys to the Warriors franchise. Despite that, they may have another suitor to contend with in the Philadelphia 76ers.
NBA Rumors: The Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers are linked to Jonathan Kuminga.
The Sixers don't have much in the way of tradable salary but could theoretically offer up a combination of Kenyon Martin Jr., a first-round pick, and a salary filler to acquire Kuminga. That is if Golden State opted to trade him ahead of next summer.
Doing so would ensure that Golden State doesn't lose him for nothing or doesn't get forced into matching an outlandish offer only to try and trade him later when it would become much more difficult.
After apparently trying to trade him for Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen and opting not to extend him, the Warriors don't seem committed to him long-term, and teams such as the Nets and Sixers would be smart to see if they could get their hands on him.
After all, from January 1, 2024, to the end of last season, Kuminga averaged 18.6 points on 54.1% shooting while playing less than 30 minutes per game. That shows that he has untapped potential and could thrive in a bigger role. The Sixers may not be able to provide him with that given that they have Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George.
The Nets could, however, though they probably won't trade for him. Instead, they may try to use their cap space to offer him a big offer sheet to steal him away from Golden State without having to give up assets. As a result, the Nets, and to a lesser extent, the Sixers could be threats to land Kuminga.