NBA Rumors: Warriors could have drafted $224M world champion over Jonathan Kuminga if not for Joe Lacob’s influence

NBA: Indiana Pacers at Golden State Warriors - Source: Imagn
NBA Rumors: Warriors could have drafted $224M world champion over Jonathan Kuminga. (Image Source: Imagn)

The Golden State Warriors have been in a stalemate situation with Jonathan Kuminga for months. The Dubs have failed to convince their 2021 first-round pick to re-sign with them during his restricted free agency. The offers made by the Warriors do not meet his demands as he looks for a bigger role in the lineup.

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On Monday, NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Warriors owner Joe Lacob met the former first-round pick amid this stalemate.

According to Charania, Lacob played a big role in drafting Kuminga. He reported that some wanted the Dubs to go for Franz Wagner, a world champion with Germany.

"Lacob has been a central figure in Kuminga's NBA career since the beginning. Bob Myers was team president and Dunleavy assistant general manager when they drafted Kuminga in 2021," Charania wrote.
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"They gave the collective green light, but Lacob was a driving force in the selection when others, including a few on the coaching staff, voiced a Franz Wagner preference, sources said."
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Franz Wagner is signed with the Orlando Magic on a five-year $224 million deal. Wagner started his NBA career in Orlando after the Magic chose him with the eighth pick in the 2021 draft.

While Jonathan Kuminga has struggled to make a big impact in his four-year stay in the league, Wagner has established himself as one of the best young talents. He averaged 24.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game last season.

He has also been successful with Germany on the international stage. He won the FIBA World Cup with his nation in 2023 and most recently won the gold medal in the 2025 EuroBasket tournament.

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NBA insider reveals reason behind Jonathan Kuminga-Warriors stalemate

In his article, Shams Charania wrote about the reason behind the stalemate between Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors. He reported that Golden State had initially offered a two-year $45 million deal with a team option in his second year to the former first-round pick.

Kuminga reportedly rejected that offer and has made it clear that he will re-sign only if the Warriors remove the team option and include a no-trade clause in his contract.

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"Their unwillingness to budge on the team option in those specific two offers is a major part of the holdup. Kuminga, gripping to the first lever of control he has had in his young career, is resistant to the idea of it, sources said," he wrote.

Charania reported that last week, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy had offered Jonathan Kuminga a three-year $75.2 million deal with a team option in the third season, but the Warriors forward has remained adamant on his wishes and has rejected the proposal.

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Edited by Victor R. Lopez M.
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