SAN FRANCISCO, CA – MARCH 7: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors smiles between plays in the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Chase Center on March 7, 2024 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/Getty Images)
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Perhaps Jonathan Kuminga will get his wish in the coming weeks. The four-year veteran is seeking a fresh start. He wants the chance to prove he can blossom into an NBA All-Star. He’s far from blameless for that not happening with the Golden State Warriors. However, both sides’ trepidation about committing to the other suggests that his inconsistent role won’t change.
As the stalemate between Kuminga and the franchise he’d welcome divorcing continues, Sam Amick of The Athletic reports that the Warriors might reconsider trading him.
“Team sources say the Kings are under the impression that Kuminga does, in fact, want to play for them. The Warriors shut down talks with both teams earlier in the summer, but could always pick up the phone at the 11th hour,” states Amick.
“As it relates to the Kings, who have offered veteran guard Malik Monk and a protected 2030 first-round pick to the Warriors while agreeing to give Kuminga a three-year, $63 million deal, their insistence on including protections on the first-rounder remains the main obstacle to a possible deal. If the protections were dropped completely, there are some stakeholders who believe the Warriors would likely change their stance.”
Should the Kings remove those protections?
No, of course not. It’s one thing if Golden State were to do this deal while receiving a more loosely protected first-round pick. However, to remove those protections entirely is a far different matter.
Sacramento should feel bullish about first-round pick Nique Clifford. The same goes for second-round selection Maxime Raynaud. And Kuminga could flourish in the 916. However, there isn’t enough concrete evidence about what the franchise is in store for in the coming years. Agreeing to make that 2030 first-round draft pick unprotected could prove disastrous.
The Warriors might as well make this ask. However, the Kings would be foolish to agree to this. In a year, they might be able to preserve their draft capital and sign the soon-to-be 23-year-old wing.
Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area recently reported that the most likely resolution to the standoff between Kuminga and Golden State is that he accepts the one-year qualifying offer.
“Kuminga signing the qualifying offer remains the anticipated outcome,” conveyed Poole. “The deadline to do so is Oct. 1. Meanwhile, Al Horford and the rest of the veterans in Golden State’s waiting room are quietly pleading for clarity.”
Signing the $7.99 million qualifying offer would give the six-foot-seven wing a no-trade clause. That would allow Kuminga to control where he plays this season and prevent the Warriors from sending him to an undesirable destination by the trade deadline. It would also enable him to reach free agency next summer. That seems more palatable than taking Golden State’s reported two-year, $45 million proposal that includes a team option for the second year.
Jonathan Kuminga may never reach free agency next offseason. He could choose another suitor if he does. However, for now, at least, the Kings should remain patient. Parting with an unprotected 2030 first-round pick to acquire him is a significant gamble. It’s one they don’t have to make at the moment. It wouldn’t be a surprise if that remains nothing more than an excessive ask on the part of Golden State.
