Warriors Trade Proposal Ends Jonathan Kuminga Saga by Landing Two First-Round Picks

Whatever the Golden State Warriors do with Jonathan Kuminga remains to be seen, but there doesn’t seem to be much of a market for the youngster. Other teams around the league have shown some interest in Kuminga, but from the Warriors’ side, they don’t want to pay him as much as he’s looking for, which some believe is around the $25 million AAV mark. 

Among the teams that have shown the most interest are the Sacramento Kings, who many believe could be looking for a younger player to change their franchise around. The Kings have been one of the more average franchises in basketball over much of the past decade, and are in a strange spot at the moment due to their roster construction. 

Could the Warriors Move Jonathan Kuminga?

In a recent trade idea from Sports Illustrated’s Mark Morales-Smith, he pitched that the Golden State Warriors send Kuminga to the Kings. The issue, however, is that his trade proposal had them landing Malik Monk and two first-round picks. Unless heavily protected, the Kings may not see Kuminga as worth two first-round picks.

Kings Receive: Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Receive: Malik Monk, two first-round picks

“The Warriors would have to get creative with this deal to make the money work and potentially add a third team in the mix, but it wouldn’t be too difficult to get done. Kuminga has made it clear that he doesn’t want to be there, so the Warriors are better off moving on. 

“Why not get something for a talented young player while you can, instead of going through the year with a disgruntled player in a locker room that has already had its fair share of issues over the years? Mixing a disgruntled young player with Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green seems like a terrible mix. Moving on is the best option,” he wrote.

Golden State Won’t Give in to Jonathan Kuminga’s Demands

It doesn’t seem like the Golden State Warriors will be giving Kuminga what he wants, but that’s why Morales-Smith noted that he could find his way in Sacramento, considering rumors have noted that he wants to play there. 

Unfortunately, the Warriors don’t have much reason to send him anywhere he wants to be, as he hasn’t done enough for the franchise, and there’s seemingly a bit of animosity between the two sides. 

“They want Kuminga, and Kuminga wants to be there. The two sides have already discussed plans for him being the starter, and both sides believe in what the other is selling. He’s a talented 22-year-old forward with a ton of upside and room to grow if he can get out from under Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler in Golden State. We have seen this story play out over and over again in the NBA when a great sixth man gets his chance to be the star and becomes a breakout superstar on his new team. That’s what the Kings are hoping for here,” he wrote. 

A decent bit still has to play out throughout the remainder of the offseason, but the Warriors have had a quiet past few months. They need to improve, and trading Kuminga might help them do that.