Jonathan Kuminga’s future with the Golden State Warriors has been a big topic of discussion in the Bay throughout the offseason.
The 22-year-old was drafted in 2021 and although he has had some brilliant performances, Jonathan Kuminga has never been able to cement his place as a starter for the Golden State Warriors.
He stepped in for some big minutes last season due to the injuries the Dubs had experienced, but Steve Kerr decided not to play Kuminga in multiple playoff games against the Houston Rockets.
However, in the second round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kuminga found some minutes off the bench, scoring 30 points in Game 3.
Since the start of the offseason, he has been rumored to be on the move and the Sacramento Kings have expressed interest in acquiring him as part of a trade.
But the Warriors refused any deal for him and have continued to negotiate contracts with him throughout the Summer League in Las Vegas.
The Kings’ offer was refused by the Warriors as they wanted a first-round pick as part of the Kuminga trade.
Since then, reports have suggested the Warriors might sign an extension with Kuminga and trade him away to get assets from the move.
Stein Line has revealed the Warriors have held discussions with the player, but he stated the player was expecting $25 million annually.
They wrote: “Kuminga’s holding pattern has generated the most media attention to date.
“His agent Aaron Turner has held numerous discussions with Warriors officials in Las Vegas, league sources tell The Stein Line, with the hope of securing a contract — even a short-term contract — that pays at least $25 million in average annual salary … whether that’s to stay with the Warriors or switch teams via sign-and-trade.
“Sources say that the Warriors have expressed reluctance to go that high in price over a long-term agreement while also seeking some level of first-round draft compensation in any theoretical trade that ships Kuminga elsewhere.”
After moving Bradley Beal from their roster, the Phoenix Suns are reportedly back in the market to add another player, and that could be Jonathan Kuminga.
According to Stein Line, the Suns’ representatives have contacted the Warriors to express their interest in the player.
“Sources say Phoenix, meanwhile, is the latest team to express exploratory interest in a Kuminga sign-and-trade … challenging as it would be for the Suns to make such a deal happen.
“Fresh off completing a buyout of Bradley Beal this week, enabling the Suns to waive-and-stretch the hefty contract possessed by the three-time NBA All-Star guard, they have contacted both Kuminga’s representation and the Warriors to make their fondness for the bouncy swingman known,” Stein Line added.
The Suns have long been admirers of Kuminga and his addition would certainly provide a further boost to the roster.
His athleticism would add a new layer to the Suns’ team, but the franchise might not have what the Warriors are looking for in a deal for Kuminga.
Stein Line wrote: “The Suns, to be clear, do not appear to possess the sort of draft capital or players that Golden State is believed to be seeking in exchange for Kuminga.
“Yet he certainly did come up in trade talks between the teams during the season, sources say, when the Warriors were pursuing the re-acquisition of Kevin Durant.”
