What NBA Player Turned Down 84 Million? Jonathan Kuminga's Big Choice

Dakota Bode

30 Jul, 2025

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Have you ever wondered why an NBA player, someone who plays basketball for a living, might say no to a huge amount of money? It seems kind of unbelievable, really, but it happens. So, too it's almost, the world of professional sports, especially in the NBA, is full of these interesting choices. We are talking about millions of dollars, yet some players make decisions that surprise a lot of people.

This summer, a specific name has been in the news for just such a decision. It's a player who has shown a lot of promise, a young talent with a lot of potential. He plays for a well-known team, and fans have been watching his progress with great interest. This situation, you know, really gets people talking about what matters most to a player.

The player in question, Jonathan Kuminga, reportedly turned down a contract offer that was quite large. It was an extension that would have given him a guaranteed sum, something many people would jump at. But he chose a different path, which, in some respects, highlights the complicated parts of being a professional athlete in today's game.

Who is Jonathan Kuminga?
Jonathan Kuminga: Personal Details
The $84 Million Offer: What Happened?
Why Would an NBA Player Turn Down So Much Money?
Player Development and Proving Value
The Team's Point of View
What Happens Next for Jonathan Kuminga?
Questions People Often Ask

Who is Jonathan Kuminga?

Jonathan Kuminga is a young, very talented basketball player. He comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He moved to the United States to play high school basketball. People who watched him play knew he was special. He had a lot of physical gifts, like being very strong and quick. He was seen as a future star, just a little bit, even then.

He decided to skip college basketball. Instead, he played in the NBA G League Ignite program. This program is for players who want to get ready for the NBA draft. It lets them play against older, more experienced players. This was a big step for him, kind of like, a way to get a head start.

The Golden State Warriors picked him in the 2021 NBA Draft. He was the seventh player chosen overall. That's a very high pick, which shows how much teams thought of his potential. He joined a team with many famous players, like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. This was a great place for a young player to learn, you know, from the best.

Since joining the Warriors, Kuminga has shown flashes of brilliance. He can score points, play good defense, and use his strength. He has had moments where he looks like a true star. But, like many young players, he has also had times when his play was not as consistent. This is pretty common for players his age, arguably, as they grow into their roles.

He is still very young, too it's almost, and has a lot of room to get better. His journey in the NBA is just starting. Fans and coaches are excited about what he could become. He is a player who can change a game with his energy and athletic ability. That, is that, something everyone notices when he is on the court.

Jonathan Kuminga: Personal Details

Full Name	Jonathan Kuminga
Born	October 6, 2002
Nationality	Congolese
Team	Golden State Warriors
Position	Small Forward / Power Forward
NBA Draft	2021, 7th overall pick

The $84 Million Offer: What Happened?

So, Kuminga was reportedly offered a contract extension. This offer was for three years and was worth about $84 million. This kind of offer is made to players who are still on their first contracts, you know, before they become free agents. It's a way for teams to keep their young talent for a longer time. This happened recently, as of summer 2024, which, in some respects, makes it a very current topic.

However, reports suggest that Kuminga did not sign this offer. He apparently chose to turn it down. This is a big deal because $84 million is a lot of money. Most people would think that's a fantastic deal, and it is. But for an NBA player, especially one with Kuminga's potential, there are other things to think about. He, like your, other players mentioned in general NBA news, might be in what some call an "uncomfortable situation" when it comes to his contract.

The reason he reportedly did not sign is that he might be looking for an even bigger contract. Players sometimes bet on themselves. They believe they can play even better and show they are worth more money. So, they might pass on a good offer now, hoping for a great offer later. This is a very common thing in the NBA, actually, where players try to maximize their earnings over time.

This decision puts him and the team in a bit of a waiting game. The Warriors want to keep him, naturally, because he is a valuable part of their future. But they also have to manage their money very carefully. Every team has a salary cap, which is a limit on how much they can spend on player salaries. So, every contract decision is important.

This kind of situation happens often in the league. A player might feel they are worth more than what is being offered. Or they might want to see how they perform in another year. It's a calculated risk, you know. They are betting on their own growth and performance. This is why these contract talks can be quite complex, even though the basic idea is simple.

Why Would an NBA Player Turn Down So Much Money?

It seems strange to turn down $84 million, doesn't it? But there are several good reasons why an NBA player might do this. One big reason is that they believe they can get a "max" contract. A max contract is the largest amount of money a player can be paid under the league's rules. For a player like Kuminga, who is still young and improving, a max deal could be worth much more than $84 million over the same number of years, or even more years.

Players also consider their role on the team. If a player feels they are not getting enough playing time, or that their skills are not being used in the best way, they might want to move to a team where they can shine more. More playing time and a bigger role can lead to better statistics, which in turn can lead to a bigger contract. It's a bit like, you know, showing your full value before signing a long-term deal.

Another reason is the idea of "betting on yourself." This means a player is confident that they will perform at a very high level in the coming season. If they do, their market value, meaning what other teams would pay them, goes up a lot. So, they turn down a good offer now, hoping for a great offer later. This takes a lot of courage, obviously, because there's always a risk of injury or a drop in performance.

Sometimes, players also want to see what their team's future looks like. Are other star players staying? Is the team going to be a contender for a championship? These things matter to players. They want to be part of a winning team, and that can influence their contract decisions. It's not always just about the money, you know, but also about the chance to win a championship.

The length of the contract also matters. A three-year deal might seem long, but some players prefer shorter deals to get back to free agency sooner. This allows them to sign another big contract when the salary cap goes up, or when their skills are at their peak. It's a way to control their own career path, in a way, more directly.

Player Development and Proving Value

For a young player like Kuminga, player development is a big part of this decision. He is still growing as a player, learning new things about the game. Each year, he gets better, adds new skills, and becomes more consistent. This improvement makes him more valuable to any team. He wants to show everyone what he can truly do, so, before he commits to a long-term deal.

Proving value means showing that you are not just a good player, but a great one. It means consistently performing at a high level, making a big impact on games, and becoming a key part of the team's success. When a player does this, their value goes up significantly. This is why, arguably, Kuminga might feel he has more to show.

Players often look at what other players in their draft class or with similar skills are getting paid. If they see others getting bigger deals, they might feel they deserve something similar. It's a competitive league, and players want to be paid what they believe they are worth. This is a very common thought process for athletes, you know, when it comes to contracts.

An injury could also change everything. If a player gets hurt after turning down a contract, their value could drop a lot. This is the biggest risk in betting on yourself. But players and their agents, who help them with these decisions, weigh these risks carefully. They usually have a good idea of what the player's potential is and what they can achieve.

So, for Kuminga, this is a chance to show that he can be a core player, a star, for years to come. If he has a breakout season, his next contract could be much, much larger than the $84 million he reportedly turned down. It's a gamble, yes, but one that many players are willing to take for a chance at true financial security and career control.

The Team's Point of View

From the team's side, offering an extension is also a big decision. The Golden State Warriors, like all NBA teams, have to think about their money very carefully. They have a salary cap they cannot go over. So, every dollar they spend on one player means less money for other players. It's a balancing act, basically, for the team management.

When a team offers an extension, they are trying to lock in a player at a certain price. They want to keep their good players from leaving. They also want to make sure they are not overpaying. They look at a player's past performance, their potential for the future, and how much they fit into the team's plans. This is a very important part of how teams build their rosters.

The Warriors have many high-paid players already. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green have very large contracts. This means the team has less room to spend on other players. So, when they offer a contract to Kuminga, they are thinking about how it fits into their overall financial picture. They need to keep enough money to sign other players who can help them win games.

If Kuminga doesn't sign, the team might have to deal with him as a restricted free agent later. This means they can match any offer he gets from another team. But it also means they might have to pay more than they wanted to. It's a complicated dance between the player and the team, you know, to find a fair agreement.

Teams also think about how a player's decision affects the team's chemistry. If a player is unhappy with their contract, it can sometimes affect their play or their relationship with the team. So, finding a good balance is important for everyone involved. They want players who are happy and motivated, which, in some respects, helps the team win.

What Happens Next for Jonathan Kuminga?

So, what happens now that Jonathan Kuminga has reportedly turned down the $84 million offer? The most likely thing is that he will play out the current season on his existing contract. This gives him another year to show his skills and prove his worth. He will try to play his best basketball, make a big impact, and show everyone he deserves a bigger deal.

After this season, he will become a restricted free agent. This is a key point for players. As a restricted free agent, other teams can offer him a contract. But his current team, the Golden State Warriors, has the right to match any offer. If they match it, he stays with the Warriors for the terms of that matched offer. This gives the Warriors a lot of control, pretty much, over his future.

If he has a fantastic season, other teams might offer him a very large contract, maybe even a max deal. The Warriors would then have to decide if they want to match that offer. If they do, they will pay him a lot more money. If they don't, he can leave and sign with the other team. It's a big moment for both the player and the team, you know, when free agency comes around.

His performance this coming season will be watched very closely. Every game, every play, will be a chance for him to show why he deserves a bigger contract. This pressure can be a lot for a young player, but it's also a big opportunity. He has a chance to really make a name for himself and secure his financial future.

This situation with Kuminga is a good example of how players and teams manage risk and reward in the NBA. Players want to get paid what they are worth, and teams want to keep their best players while managing their money. It's a constant negotiation, actually, that shapes the league every year. Learn more about NBA player contracts on our site.

Questions People Often Ask

Why would an NBA player turn down a large contract?

An NBA player might turn down a big contract for several reasons. They might believe they can perform even better in the future and earn a much larger contract, possibly a maximum deal. They could also be looking for a bigger role on a team, or a better chance to win a championship. Sometimes, players want to keep their options open for future free agency periods, especially if they think the league's salary cap will increase. It's often a calculated risk, betting on their own growth and market value.

What happens if an NBA player doesn't sign an extension?

If an NBA player doesn't sign an extension, they typically play out the remaining years on their current contract. After that, they usually become a free agent. If they are a young player who was drafted by the team, they often become a "restricted free agent." This means their current team has the right to match any offer sheet they sign with another team. If the original team matches, the player stays. If they don't, the player can leave and sign with the new team. This gives the original team some control, but it can also lead to higher costs if the player performs very well.

How do NBA contract negotiations work?

NBA contract negotiations usually involve the player's agent and the team's general manager or president of basketball operations. The agent presents the player's value, often based on their performance, potential, and comparable contracts in the league. The team considers its salary cap situation, the player's fit, and their own financial goals. There's a lot of back-and-forth, with offers and counter-offers. Sometimes, negotiations can take a long time, and other times, they can happen very quickly. Both sides try to get the best deal