Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea make their introductions
Phoenix Suns general manager Brian Gregory introduces the team’s 2025 draft picks: Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea.
The Phoenix Suns have shown interest in trading for Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga.Kuminga and the Warriors are at odds over a contract extension, with a player option being a key sticking point.If acquired, Kuminga would likely become a starter for the Suns, seeking a larger offensive role.
The Phoenix Suns have remained linked to Jonathan Kuminga, but the odds remain high against them landing the talented Golden State Warriors forward.
ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported Sept. 16 the Warriors’ recent offer of three years, $75.2 million has just one snag. Slater said if Golden State turns a team option into a player option, it’s a done deal for Kuminga.
Seems like a quick fix, but if it was, the two sides wouldn’t be at odds less than two weeks before the Warriors begin training camp on Sept. 30.
Charania reported the Suns offered Royce O’Neale and multiple second-round picks to the Warriors for Kuminga.
Phoenix doesn’t have any tradable first-round picks in the next seven years and $23 million in dead money in the next five years. A little more than $19 million of that amount this season is from the Bradley Beal buyout.
The Sacramento Kings have been the other reported team of interest in Kuminga.
Again, the odds are seriously against the Suns landing Kuminga, but let’s just say he was to wind up in Phoenix. How could that play out on the court?
Getting up shots
Kuminga is the third option at best in Golden State behind Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler.
He went from averaging 21 points in 13 games in December before Butler arrived in a trade to 12.2 in 15 games in March and April after Butler arrived.
Kuminga would come to Phoenix looking to be more involved in the offense, especially for a team not expected to compete for a playoff spot.
The Suns would have to figure out a way to maximize his strengths of being able to get to the rim yet work on his 3 so he can be a threat to knock down shots playing off Devin Booker.
Ryan Dunn coming off the bench
Kuminga’s interest in the Suns is largely due to being a starter. The 22-year-old started only 84 of his 258 career regular-season games in Golden State.
Kuminga will turn 23 on Oct. 6.
The reported four-year deal for $90 million the Suns are willing to deliver Kuminga is obviously enticing, though league sources informed The Arizona Republic in August the offer isn’t that high.
In Phoenix, Kuminga would start the four man, moving Ryan Dunn to sixth man. The Suns could then at some point have them both in the game together to give them size and length.
Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green discusses joining the team
New Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green on joining the team after being traded from the Houston Rockets for Kevin Durant.
Even younger, more athletic
The Suns trading 36-year-old Kevin Durant (turns 37 Sept. 29) and buying out the 32-year-old Beal makes O’Neale the oldest player on the team at age 32.
Kuminga would not only keep the Suns on the youthful track, but he’s an upgrade in talent and athleticism. The Oklahoma City Thunder went into the 2024-25 season with the youngest NBA team with an average age of 24.148.
They ended it NBA champions. Now having NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander certainly helped, but he just turned 27 in July.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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