Jonathan Kuminga is a player who has been in the trade rumors for over a season now.
The 22-year-old has been with the Golden State Warriors since 2021 and has found it difficult to find consistent minutes.
He averaged 26.4 minutes in the 2023-24 season, which is the most for him in his career. Jonathan Kuminga averaged 16.1 PPG in that campaign for the Warriors.
The 2024-25 season saw him start only 10 of the 47 games he played, which is the fewest he ever has in his career with the Warriors.
Kuminga averaged 16.8 PPG in those games and looked good in moments, but this opened the rumors of his stint with the Warriors potentially coming to an end.
The Congolese player is a restricted free agent and teams like the Sacramento Kings have already shown interest in him.
However, the Dubs have refused all offers and according to an NBA Insider Kuminga could re-sign with the Warriors only on one condition.
Kuminga wants to be traded before trade deadline
Brett Siegel of Clutch Points reported that Kuminga’s future with the Warriors is still uncertain as the player’s representatives were meeting with teams at Summer League.
But according to Siegel’s sources, the Warriors still want to keep Kuminga on the roster.
That is, however, difficult as a contract extension for him will push them close to the first apron.
“In Kuminga’s case, a return to the Warriors continues to be likely. Various high-ranking members of the organization would like Kuminga back, including owner Joe Lacob, sources said.
“Ultimately, the expectation from rival teams around the NBA is that Kuminga will go back to the Warriors with the mutual understanding that he will be moved before the trade deadline in February,” added Siegel.
Kuminga’s time with the Warriors could be over
The Warriors know that Kuminga is a player with a lot of potential and that is one of the reasons they don’t want to execute a sign and trade for him.
Signing him to an initial extension and trading him would get them assets, which can help them find a similar player or even a high first-round pick.
Draymond Green spoke about the Kuminga situation and revealed that the player could get paid anywhere he went.
The 22-year-old’s performance in Game 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he dropped 30 points off the bench, helped him earn praise from even coach Steve Kerr.
Kuminga wants to be on a team where his talent is valued, and the Dubs are in a win-now mode.
They would certainly do what’s best for the roster and if that means signing Kuminga and trading him away, they would do that as not only will they benefit from it, but it would also give them a chance to rebuild after his exit.
