The New Orleans Pelicans have shown clear interest in acquiring Jonathan Kuminga from the Golden State Warriors, according to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer. The talks are progressing in 2024 amid ongoing negotiations involving a sign-and-trade deal that could impact both teams’ rosters significantly.
Kuminga, a restricted free agent forward, recently received a qualifying offer of $7.9 million from the Warriors, a considerable gap from the $30 million figure he reportedly requested. Golden State retains the right to match any offer made by other teams to keep the young player on their roster. The Pelicans, who are exploring options to bolster their lineup, may try to maneuver the salary cap and player exchanges to land Kuminga along with veteran Moses Moody.
Details of Pelicans’ Strategy to Acquire Kuminga Through Trade
NBA insider Brandon “Scoop” Robinson revealed that the Pelicans are actively working to frame a sign-and-trade arrangement with the Warriors. New Orleans currently fields Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones in their rotation, either of whom could be part of the package sent to Golden State. To satisfy salary matching rules, the Pelicans might even consider exchanging both Murphy and Jones for Kuminga and Moody.
Last season, Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, shooting 45.4% overall but only 30.5% from three-point range. His ability to provide energy on both ends of the floor made him a valuable spark off the Warriors’ bench, especially when starters rested.
However, Kuminga’s inconsistent long-range shooting limited his impact after the arrival of Jimmy Butler in February. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr restricted Kuminga’s playing time during critical playoff stretches, citing his 30.4% three-point shooting as a concern. Kuminga posted just 6 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in around 17 minutes per game against the Houston Rockets in the postseason.
Possible Pelicans Trade Scenarios and Team Fit Concerns
The Pelicans may be more inclined to part with Herb Jones to create room for Kuminga, but they might need to add a first-round draft pick to complete the transaction. Sacrificing Murphy, a career 38% three-point shooter, could result in similar shooting challenges that the Warriors experienced firsthand. A lineup featuring Yves Pons, Zion Williamson, Jonathan Kuminga, Jordan Hawkins, and Dejounte Murray could struggle with three-point efficiency, as Pons did not attempt any threes last season, Williamson shot just 23.1%, and Murray averaged 29.9% before an injury cut his season short. Hawkins’ three-point mark was 33.1% in the same period.
Moses Moody’s inclusion in the trade package might provide some shooting stability, as he has a career three-point percentage of 37.4% primarily in a backup role. Still, Trey Murphy’s versatility as both a scorer and defender, along with his career-high 21.2 points per game last season, makes him a critical asset for New Orleans.
After offloading Kelly Olynyk and CJ McCollum this offseason, the Pelicans lost key perimeter shooters. Swapping Murphy and Herb Jones for Kuminga and Moody poses strategic challenges, particularly in maintaining three-point threat balance. Therefore, it is more likely the Pelicans will need to include Jones, another player, and draft picks to secure Kuminga from Golden State.
Expert Advice Encourages Kuminga to Accept Warriors’ Qualifying Offer
On the Willard & Dibs podcast, ESPN salary cap analyst Bobby Marks weighed in on Kuminga’s current negotiating stance. Marks noted that the restricted free agent has little leverage in the talks and suggested the best path forward might be accepting the Warriors’ qualifying offer of $7.9 million. This approach gives Kuminga the chance to enhance his game, particularly his perimeter shooting, and prove his value to both the Warriors and potential suitors next offseason.
“[Jonathan Kuminga]’s got no leverage. The only leverage he has right now is to sign the qualifying offer at $7.9M and go out in free agency next offseason. … It’s not a good time to be a restricted free agent.”
— Bobby Marks, ESPN NBA Salary Cap Expert
Improving his outside shooting could help Kuminga secure a bigger role on a team with a dynamic scorer like Jimmy Butler. The unfolding trade discussions underscore the challenges both Golden State and New Orleans face as they seek to balance talent, fit, and salary constraints while preparing for the upcoming NBA season.