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Warriors Rumors: Moses Moody 'Far More Likely' to Sign New Contract Than Kuminga

Zach BacharContributor IOctober 19, 2024

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 13: Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons during a NBA Preseason game on October 13, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

Moses Moody and the Golden State Warriors are "far more likely" to finalize a long-term contract extension compared to Jonathan Kuminga, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.

Fischer noted that Moody is expected to command "north of $10 million" in average annual value on a potential new deal.

As for Kuminga, his asking price appears to be the sticking point in negotiations with the front office. The Warriors "never seemed intent" on paying the forward the "near-max" money he's desired, per Fischer. Golden State would be "far more amendable" to meeting Kuminga's salary demands if he thrives during the 2024-25 season, though.

Both Kuminga and Moody were selected by the Warriors with lottery picks in the 2021 NBA draft. The pair took some time before they truly broke out in head coach Steve Kerr's rotation, although they're coming off career years respectively.

Moody operated primarily as a shooter off the bench last season, averaging 8.1 points and 3.0 rebounds per game on 46.2/36.0/78.5 shooting splits. He's been a consistent option to fire away from behind the arc, never shooting below 36 percent from three throughout his career.

Given his reliability and expected smaller contract value, it's easy to see why Golden State is more willing to extend him.

Kuminga averaged a career-high 16.1 points per game during his 2023-24 campaign, bouncing back and forth between the starting lineup and the bench. The Warriors appear to be more hesitant to offer him a long-term deal before he's able to show that he can remain an efficient volume scorer, as he recorded just 9.6 points per game throughout his first two seasons in the NBA.

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KUMINGA GOT UP FOR THE PUTBACK SLAM 😱💥 <a href="https://t.co/9vApecvU1O">pic.twitter.com/9vApecvU1O</a>

If Golden State wants to sign Moody to a rookie-scale extension, the front office will need to do so before Monday's deadline.