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Jonathan Kuminga expects to be traded from the Golden State Warriors before the deadline, and new trade suitors have emerged for the forward.
Well, after trying and trying, the fit between the Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga has not worked.
After lengthy contract negotiations over the summer, the season started well for the star. However, he was then injured, was briefly taken out of the starting lineup, and has yet to rekindle any chemistry or spark in his play on the court.
The possibility of a trade was evident even after signing his new deal, but now, a Kuminga trade is almost certain. Shams Charania recently reported that the Warriors will listen for deals with Kuminga, and most recently, though not surprisingly, he was named the most likely player on Golden State to be moved before the deadline.
“If you had to bet on one player being moved this season, you could do a lot worse than choosing Jonathan Kuminga,” Grant Hughes wrote for Bleacher Report. “He’s almost certain to be gone once he’s eligible on Jan. 15.”
In 17 games this year, Kuminga is averaging 12.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists on 43.6% shooting, all of which have dropped since his hot start to the season.
Jonathan Kuminga Trade Incoming
Despite making the efforts, Steve Kerr and the entire Warriors staff don’t look to be in a position to keep Kuminga around long term.
“The deal he signed after four years of thinly veiled discontent and a protracted negotiation process was basically designed to be an appealing trade asset,” Hughes wrote. “The Warriors decided Kuminga can’t be the role player they need, but another team could take a zero-risk flier on an athletically gifted forward who fancies himself as a first-option star.”
The trade rumors surrounding Kuminga also come down to what the Warriors could get for the 23-year-old forward. At this point in the season, with their major injuries and shooting woes, getting an athletic, and hopefully younger, big man who is willing and able to take three pointers is likely their best bet.
There is still the option of adding Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Golden State lacks the assets teams around the league could send back to the Bucks. Additionally, even if Kuminga was in a deal for Antetokounmpo, it would likely need to include Jimmy Butler or Draymond Green and a ton of picks, a move that seems unlikely in the Bay Area.
“The Warriors will discuss trades for forward Jonathan Kuminga when he is eligible to be moved Jan. 15, sources said,” Charania wrote for ESPN. “Kuminga, who missed just over two weeks in November because of knee tendinitis, has had fluctuating roles and performances since a strong start to the season. He was a DNP-CD in Sunday’s blowout win in Chicago.”
Kuminga is expected to be moved as soon as the Warriors find a trade partner.
Possible Kuminga Trade Destinations
Over the summer, it was both the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns that emerged as potential suitors for Kuminga. While those talks quieted intially, but now, they’ve heated up once again.
According to Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports, both teams have reentered the conversation for the controversial forward. Sacramento is in the midst of a disaster season, while the Suns, despite losing Kevin Durant, are on the up-and-up with Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and other strong role players.
Jonathan Kuminga’s trade market will heat up in the coming weeks. The Kings and Suns, his two biggest suitors in the offseason, remain interested, sources say
There are still five-plus weeks until Kuminga can be traded. The Warriors have 16 games until he becomes trade eligible
“Jonathan Kuminga’s trade market will heat up in the coming weeks. The Kings and Suns, his two biggest suitors in the offseason, remain interested, sources say,” he wrote on X. “There are still five-plus weeks until Kuminga can be traded. The Warriors have 16 games until he becomes trade eligible.”
With the Kings’ struggles and roster construction, the Warriors’ adding one of their aging stars feels more unlikely compared to what Phoenix could offer. According to Brendan Mau of Sports Illustrated, they could get back some size and shooting in return for Kuminga, but that isn’t a guarantee.
“Phoenix would have to try to build an offer centered around Royce O’Neale and Nick Richards if it wanted Kuminga, but this was something the Warriors were not willing to do this summer,” he wrote. “The Suns could also opt to try to trade Grayson Allen, but he has been too valuable of a piece for them this season.”
At this point, Golden State cutting ties with Kuminga and just bringing in someone who can shoot and defend off the bench might be their best option. He’s shown flashes, but right now is contributing to their struggles, which are evident in their 13-12 record.
Eli Gregorski is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy Sports. He has years of sports writing experience covering the NBA, NFL, college football and basketball, international soccer, and Formula One. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he was the assistant sports editor for the award-winning CU Independent student publication. More about Eli Gregorski
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