Golden State Warriors youngster Jonathan Kuminga is one of the toughest players in the league to evaluate. On the one hand, Kuminga seems to be a decent player at 22 years old, averaging 15.3 points per game in just 24.3 minutes last season.
However, Steve Kerr and the Warriors haven’t given him much trust throughout his career, and there might be a reason for that.
Regardless of what happens over the next few months, the expectation is for Kuminga to depart in free agency. There’s a chance that the Warriors could sign and trade him, allowing them to get some assets back in return.
And that’s exactly what some are predicting could happen. That includes Peter O’Keefe, who recently proposed the trade idea to swap Kuminga and more for Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr.
“In the wake of Desmond Bane’s shock move to the Orlando Magic on Sunday, Jaren Jackson Jr. is the latest player doing the rounds as a potential trade target for the Golden State Warriors and others around the NBA,” O’Keefe wrote. “But even if Jackson is available to rival teams, the Warriors will face no shortage of competitors vying for a talented 25-year-old who can impact on both ends of the floor.
“Much of the reason the Magic were willing to offload four first-round picks and one pick swap for Bane is because they’re confident that with him, Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs, there’s little risk in those picks conveying into something truly substantial… “That makes Golden State’s future picks enticing and far more valuable than others around the league, which, combined with talented youngsters Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, could see them enter the conversation with an offer such as this (Kuminga, Moody, and three future first picks to the Grizzlies for Jackson and John Konchar).”
What Will the Warriors Do With Kuminga?
The first question for the Golden State Warriors this offseason is centered around what they want to do with Kuminga. There’s reason to believe that they could look to trade him, but sign-and-trade deals aren’t exactly the easiest at times.
Reports have also indicated that he wants to be paid handsomely, and that could be a sign that it won’t be in Golden State.
According to Insider Michael Scotto, his future in Golden State is uncertain.
“Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga will be eligible for restricted free agency this summer, but his future in Golden State is uncertain.
“Given Kuminga’s fluctuating role with the Warriors following the acquisition of Jimmy Butler, his lukewarm relationship with coach Steve Kerr, and being discussed in trade talks before the deadline to land Kevin Durant that ultimately fell through, there’s a belief a change of scenery could be in the cards this summer. Kuminga is looking for an expanded and consistent role moving forward, league sources told HoopsHype,” he wrote.
Grizzlies’ Future Outlook Unknown
If the Golden State Warriors could find a way to land Jackson, who’s coming off a season where he averaged 22.2 points and shot 37.5% from 3-point range on 5.3 attempts per game, they’d be in a great position.
For the Grizzlies’ future, it’s uncertain what the organization plans to do throughout the next few months.
But if they want to move on from Jackson, the Warriors need to be at the front of that list.
