The Golden State Warriors have reached a stalemate in their efforts to trade Jonathan Kuminga this summer, with the player expected to remain on the roster as the new NBA season approaches. Despite Kuminga’s dissatisfaction with his playing time and persistent trade talks, his status as a restricted free agent and lack of acceptable offers have kept him in the Bay Area.
The Warriors are open to moving Kuminga but want to secure a meaningful return in any deal. However, as insiders indicate, no suitable trade package has yet materialized, reducing the likelihood of his departure in the near term. Tim Kawakami, a well-regarded Warriors insider, reports that Kuminga will begin the upcoming season back with Golden State, whether on the team’s proposed contract or the one-year qualifying offer worth $7.9 million.
“The word I got when I checked in with a Warriors source on Sunday: Kuminga won’t be traded this summer,” Kawakami wrote on Monday, via The San Francisco Standard. “He’ll be back on the Warriors’ roster to start the season. And it’ll either come when he signs the Warriors’ offer or accepts the $7.9 million one-year qualifying offer.”
Warriors owner Joe Lacob remains optimistic about Kuminga’s potential and continues to support the plan to keep him unless the team receives a significantly favorable trade proposal. Lacob has expressed confidence but is unwilling to rush a decision that falls short of what the franchise aims to gain.
Sacramento Kings Remain Interested Despite Obstacles
The Sacramento Kings have made the most persistent efforts to acquire Kuminga, illustrating their aggressive interest by reportedly offering a substantial contract and future assets. Current reports confirm the Warriors rejected an initial offer from the Kings and continue to negotiate while holding firm on their valuation of Kuminga.
Sam Amick from The Athletic detailed one proposal in which the Kings offered Kuminga a three-year, $63 million contract extension. This deal would have sent veteran guard Malik Monk and a 2030 first-round pick—protected by a lottery clause—to the Warriors, but Golden State has yet to accept the terms.
“As for the Kings, who last spoke with the Warriors earlier this week, team sources say they’ve offered a three-year $63 million deal for Kuminga in a proposal that would send veteran guard Malik Monk and their 2030 first-round pick (lottery protected) to the Warriors,” Amick on Friday.
Additionally, Golden State must offload either Moses Moody or Buddy Hield to remain under the salary cap apron, a stipulation the team wants to meet before finalizing any deal. These conditions complicate negotiations and have contributed to the impasse with Sacramento.
Kuminga’s Value and Future Outlook
Although Kuminga entered the league as a promising lottery pick and showed potential in the G League, his progression has been slower than expected. His desire for increased playing time and consideration of new opportunities has affected his trade value, leaving the Warriors in a cautious position as they consider how best to develop or utilize him moving forward.
As the season opener nears, Kuminga’s continued presence on the Warriors roster underscores a period of patience and evaluation by the team. They appear focused on either integrating him more effectively or waiting for better trade terms, reflecting a strategic approach in managing their young talent and the roster’s overall construction.