The 2025-26 NBA season is fast approaching, and all 30 teams are busy sweating it out in their respective training camps. Opening night for the new campaign is scheduled for October 21st. Teams are gearing up to kick off their preseason games soon, but there could still be some credible roster shakeups as the trade rumors are heating up.
Senior NBA Insider Jake Fischer appeared on Bleacher Report to provide the latest developments in the league behind the scenes. On the show ‘Insider Notebook,’ Fischer extensively explained many topics, including the one that involved three teams showcasing credible interest in a Golden State Warriors player.
Three NBA Teams Are Expressing Interest in Acquiring Warriors’ Star
One of the most significant talking points of the offseason was the stalemate between power forward Jonathan Kuminga and his camp with the Warriors regarding his contract extension.
Kuminga’s camp had threatened to activate the $7.9 million qualifying offer before the October 1 deadline. The saga has finally been put to bed as Kuminga agreed to a two-year, $48.5 million contract extension with the Warriors.
This means that Kuminga will only be eligible for trade after January 15, further increasing the excitement of the fast-approaching February trade deadline. A number of teams have showcased interest in acquiring the Congolese star from Golden State this season.
In his report, Fischer said, “So Chicago is still interested in Kuminga. Sacramento is still having interest in Kuminga. Phoenix having interest in Kuminga. That’s not gonna go away. It’s not gonna go away. Will the likelihood of a deal change? The thing with Sacramento is, and for all these teams, number one, there’s an increased chance of a trade for Jonathan Kuminga.”
He added, “Across the board if the Golden State Warriors and Kuminga across the table as well agree that a trade is best for both sides because now, once you get to January 15 and Kuminga’s trade eligible, you’re not gonna have the tricky base year compensation rule that comes in a sign-in trade for restrictor for agency in the summer where you have to send out imbalanced roster math.”
Fischer continued, “Now, the Warriors won’t have to take back 50% of what’s coming in the door. Overall, I think for Golden State, they’re gonna only be wanting to move Kaminga primarily for someone that they think is at this juncture now that he’s signed better than Jonathan Kaminga and raises their title window.”
He concluded, “I don’t think they’re just gonna move him now for a salary that’s intriguing and draft capital. I think, if anything, they would do that to flip that for someone else. They’re gonna be in buying mode. They’re not gonna be in selling mode.”
For now, Kuminga is scheduled to start the preseason games as well as the 2025-26 campaign with the Warriors. What happens after January 15 when he becomes eligible for trade, remains to be seen and will be a keen talking point moving forward in the campaign.