Even after the Golden State Warriors resolved Jonathan Kuminga’s contract situation, it’s hard to shake the feeling that both sides may be headed for an eventual split. The question isn’t whether it’s a matter of if, but when.

As the Golden State continues to tumble in the top-heavy Western Conference, one analyst believes the franchise will ultimately move Kuminga in a blockbuster deal, sending him to a struggling Eastern Conference team in exchange for a $179.3 million wing scorer.

Warriors Predicted To Trade Jonathan Kuminga To Brooklyn Nets

Following a strong start to his fifth season, Kuminga’s production tailed off in the lead-up to his ongoing stint on the sidelines due to bilateral knee tendinitis. Meanwhile, Golden State has stumbled to a 10-10 record since its hot 4-1 start, during which he thrived as a starter, attacking the rim and rebounding at a high level.

After getting demoted to a bench role in his last outing before his injury setback, Kuminga’s long-term fit with Golden State is back in question. Despite his talent, the 2021 No. 7 pick has long struggled to carve out a consistent role in coach Steve Kerr’s system, which puts a premium on shooting, ball movement, and high-IQ play.

Amid reports of Kuminga once again feeling like a “scapegoat,” the trade “chatter” is picking up, and the Warriors are expected to move him once he becomes eligible on Jan. 15. As a result, PFSN’s Brandon Austin believes the following trade could take place between the Warriors and Nets:

Warriors receive: Michael Porter Jr.

Nets receive: Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, future draft capital

“Shipping him, Moody, and Hield would compromise some depth for Golden State, and swapping them for Michael Porter Jr. could be a major shot to the team defensively,” Austin wrote. “But the offensive upside in a lineup featuring Stephen Curry and Porter might be hard to ignore.

“The former NBA champion already knows how to be part of a winning system, and as one of the lead options in Brooklyn, he’s had a sensational start to the year, averaging a career-high in points (24.8), rebounds (7.6), and assists (3.2), while shooting a blistering 48.7% from the field and 38% from 3-point range on 8.6 long-range attempts each night,” he added.

Porter Jr., now in Year 4 of his five-year, $179 million deal, has been one of Brooklyn’s few bright spots, but the Nets are clearly in a rebuild, making Kuminga an appealing addition. The 23-year-old has flashed All-Star potential throughout his young career. Through 14 games this season, he is averaging 13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, while shooting 47.8% from the field, 32.4% from three, and 77.1% from the free-throw line.

On the other side, Porter Jr. isn’t the easiest player to plug into a new system due to his score-first mentality. With ball-dominant stars like Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler on Golden State, there’s a real risk the move could backfire. However, if Porter can adapt to a catch-and-shoot role as he did in Denver, the trade could significantly boost the Warriors’ offensive firepower.