Warriors’ Rival Believes They Can Land Jonathan Kuminga This Offseason

All reports indicate that Jonathan Kuminga no longer wants to play for the Golden State Warriors. He feels like he is a star-caliber player and thinks the Warriors organization doesn’t respect his abilities and hasn't given him the opportunities to show all that he can do. 

The Warriors, on the other hand, believe Kuminga is asking for too much. They’ve asked him to focus on defending and rebounding, promising more playing time if he can commit to their principles, and he hasn’t been able to do it. That’s why many believe the Kuminga contract negotiations will remain stagnant. 

One way both sides could potentially get their way is with a sign-and-trade. Kuminga would get to be featured on a new team, and the Warriors would recoup some value from their former lottery pick. The Kings have been identified as one team that could be interested in a Kuminga sign-and-trade. 

Sam Amick of The Athletic reported on the Kings' belief that they can land Kuminga this offseason. 

“Team sources say the Kings are under the impression that Kuminga does, in fact, want to play for them. The Warriors shut down talks with both teams earlier in the summer, but could always pick up the phone at the 11th hour. As it relates to the Kings, who have offered veteran guard Malik Monk and a protected 2030 first-round pick to the Warriors while agreeing to give Kuminga a three-year, $63 million deal, their insistence on including protections on the first-rounder remains the main obstacle to a possible deal. If the protections were dropped completely, there are some stakeholders who believe the Warriors would likely change their stance.”

The Kings could get Kuminga if they really wanted. That first-round pick protection may be the final straw to get the deal over the finish line. If the Kings truly do want Kuminga, they should make the deal work. Otherwise, Kuminga could be traded to a different team or even enter free agency next summer, and the Kings would have a lot more competition for signing him.