Kuminga 'Nightmare Scenario' Leaves Warriors In Big Hole, with 2 Other Moves in Limbo

Jonathan Kuminga holds the cards in stalemate with Golden State Warriors

Restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga is the one holding all the cards in his stalemate with the Golden State Warriors. The Dubs are unable (or unwilling) to sign two other key players until the Kuminga situation gets sorted out.

And according to Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports, the two sides are still "miles apart." Kuminga is likely going to take the $7.9 million qualifying offer, as it comes with a no-trade clause built in, and allows the player to control his own destiny and become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

The nightmare scenario the qualifying offer presents digs a far bigger hole for the Warriors than it does for Kuminga.

That 'hole' the Warriors are in, is in the form of their inability (or unwillingness) to sign two key players they want to add to the team until Kuminga's salary is on the books.

We've heard all summer that Golden State wants to sign free agent big man Al Horford, but he's also considering retirement. And the longer this nonsense goes on with their RFA, the more Horford might lean to calling it quits.

The Dubs also want to bring back Gary Payton II. But, as with Horford, they aren't moving on it until Kuminga has signed a deal, one way or the other.

The Warriors want their former No. 7 overall pick (2021) to take their two-year offer for $45 million. But that comes with a team option on the second year, while Kuminga's camp wants a player option. It also doesn't come with any trade protection, so the Warriors would be able to deal him at any time.

In the end, Kuminga is almost certainly to pass up about $13 million in guaranteed earnings in order to retain his control over his destiny after the season (the difference between the $21M on the first year of the Warriors' offer, vs. the $7.9M on the QO.

It's a risk he seems willing to take.