'Well no' Michael Jordan's ex-teammate Ron Harper lambasts Jonathan Kuminga over bold comparison to Cade Cunningham

Jonathan Kuminga has reached a crucial point in contract extension with Golden State Warriors. Amid the negotiations, insiders revealed that Kuminga's expectations have taken a hit after he compared his value to that of young All-Stars across the league. However, Michael Jordan's ex-teammate, Ron Harped, shot it down.

San Francisco Chronicle's Ron Kroichick revealed that Kuminga and his camp thinks he belongs on the same level as Cade Cunningham and Scottie Barnes.

“He apparently thinks he’s at the Cade Cunningham–Scottie Barnes level, where he should get that type of contract. It’s really a quandary. I think it’s bad for the Warriors and bad for him,” Kroichick wrote.

However, everyone is not falling into that propaganda. Former NBA guard and Michael Jordan's ex-teammate, Harper, dismissed the comparison after NBACentral shared the report.

“Well no,” Harper commented on NBACentral’s tweet.

Cunningham and Barnes both received a massive five-year, $224 million maximum rookie extensions last offseason. Those deals reflect their all-star credentials, an honor Kuminga is yet to achieve.

During the 2024-25 season, Kuminga's performance dipped slightly, averaging 15,3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per match. These stats fall short of Cunningham and Barnes across every major statistical category.

The Warriors find themselves at a standstill with Kuminga, who's forcing for a contract in the $30 million per year range.

NBA executive compares Jonathan Kuminga with Jaden McDaniels

Placing Jonathan Kuminga in the same level as Cade Cunningham and Scottie Barnes is not justified yet. Cunningham and Barnes are already established as go-to players for the Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors, respectively, while Kuminga spent a large time as a substitute.

“McDaniels is great in his role, but J.K. is more talented and has higher upside if he ever can hit.”

McDanels signed a five-year, $131 million deal, averaging about $25 million yearly. That figure is below the $30 million per year Jonathan Kuminga sought initially, but it's in line with two-year, $45 million contract Golden State is reportedly set to offer him.