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Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Golden State Warriors have shut down earlier sign-and-trade talks for restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, but the team could change its stance if the Sacramento Kings remove protections on the draft pick included in their offer, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Kings’ Pick Protection Blocks Potential Deal
Getty Malik Monk of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
Two teams aggressively pursued a trade for the 22-year-old former lottery pick.
The Kings initially offered Devin Carter, Dario Saric, and two second-round picks, later upgrading to Malik Monk and a protected first-round pick with a three-year, $63 million deal. The Phoenix Suns reportedly offered the Warriors Royce O’Neale, Nick Richards, and all available second-round picks alongside a four-year, $90 million contract for Kuminga.
Amick reported that the protections on the Kings’ pick are the main obstacle.
“If the protections were dropped completely, there are some stakeholders who believe the Warriors would likely change their stance,” he wrote.
The protections reduce the immediate value of the pick, complicating Golden State’s ability to acquire a meaningful asset in return.
Financial Hurdles and Cap Considerations
In addition to draft pick concerns, financial implications are another sticking point. Amick noted, “I reported previously, the fact that the Warriors would likely have to trade Moses Moody or Buddy Hield to stay under the first apron of the luxury tax in a Kings deal is also known to be a deterrent.”
Monk’s contract, running through 2027-28 with a $21.5 million player option, adds another layer of complexity, as Golden State wants to maintain maximum flexibility for the 2027 summer free-agent market, when stars such as their own Stephen Curry, who will be 39 by then, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis and Donovan Mitchell.
Kuminga’s Camp Pushes for Career Control
Golden State recently increased its offer to Kuminga from a two-year, $45 million deal to a three-year, $75.2 million contract, with $48.3 million guaranteed over the first two seasons, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater and Shams Charania.
The final year remains a team option, a structure Kuminga’s camp has resisted, reportedly seeking either a player option or a one-year balloon deal that would let him reach unrestricted free agency next summer.
The former No. 7 pick of the 2021 NBA Draft has shown flashes of star potential, particularly in Curry’s absence during last season’s playoffs. In four games against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kuminga averaged 24.3 points on 55% shooting and 38.9% from three. Despite his individual success, the Warriors lost all four games, highlighting the tension between his personal potential and team results.
Kuminga, who believes he has “multi-time All-Star potential,” has received significant interest from other teams, though no sign-and-trade has materialized. Both the Suns and Kings made offers, which Golden State rejected. Multiple outlets report that Kuminga is leaning toward accepting his $7.9 million qualifying offer, giving him full control of his future while limiting the Warriors’ ability to trade him for a meaningful return.
Training Camp Looms
With training camp opening Sept. 29 and only nine of 15 roster spots currently filled, the Warriors are under pressure to resolve the Kuminga standoff. The team’s willingness to revisit a trade could hinge entirely on adjustments to the Kings’ draft pick protections. Removing those protections could clear a path to a deal that satisfies both Golden State’s desire for assets and flexibility, while allowing Kuminga the opportunity to pursue his long-term goals.
Until that decision is made, the Warriors’ offseason plans remain in limbo, with the franchise needing clarity before filling out the rest of their roster.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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