Jonathan Kuminga has had some conversations about a potential future with the Sacramento Kings, and they have turned his head.
Jonathan Kuminga has made a lot of noise this offseason, without actually saying much in public. The Golden State Warriors forward has had the most tumultuous restricted free agency in recent memory.
Kuminga and the Warriors have had a tense, months-long negotiation to work out a new deal. However, that hasn’t worked well, as Kuminga rejected the Warriors’ latest offer.
Kuminga wants to leave the Warriors and has made it clear to them. While the Warriors have one option to retain Kuminga, the forward still seems to have one foot out the door.
The team that has wanted Kuminga the most is the Sacramento Kings. And the two sides recently had a conversation about their potential future together.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ImagesJonathan Kuminga ’emboldened’ by Sacramento Kings talks
NBA insider Anthony Slater spoke on the James Ham show recently. When discussing the possibility of Jonathan Kuminga joining the Sacramento Kings, he shed light on their recent dealings.
Slater noted that while he doesn’t expect Kuminga to join the Kings anytime soon, the belief the franchise showed in him could prove to be valuable in their long-term future together.
“I do think that his conversations with the Kings have enticed and emboldened him to believe that there are situations out there in the world, even if it’s not now, that will give him the type of runway he thinks if he gets, he will take off.
“Personally, I would say, I do not think he’s going to be a Sacramento King a month from now.
“I think part of this process for him is not only the recruitment, but the long-term relationship. He’s met Scott Perry in person. This guy may be traded at the deadline. He may be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
“The Sacramento Kings clearly have shown they are very intrigued by his future. And while again, I’m not sure that’s going to bear any fruit for the Kings in the current moment, I think it’s very possible over the next couple of years that it could bear fruit.”
Jonathan Kuminga likely to stay with Golden State Warriors
While the Sacramento Kings would love to land Jonathan Kuminga this summer, it’s looking highly unlikely that it will come to fruition.
The Warriors refused to deal with the Kings in good faith, and the Kings don’t have the assets at their disposal to make a deal happen.
Furthermore, the Kings will refuse to give up their more valuable assets for an exciting young player who hasn’t proven himself worth it just yet.
Expect Kuminga to stay with the Warriors while the two sides try to work out whether they have a future together as a team.