After the 2024-2025 season, a breakup between the Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga seemed inevitable.
After posting 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game on 45.4% shooting, Kuminga hoped to cash in during free agency. While both sides explored their options, he ultimately re-signed with the Warriors on a two-year, $48.5 million deal.
Still, Kuminga’s tenure with the Warriors now appears to be nearing its conclusion.
What Would It Take To Land Jonathan Kuminga?
Kuminga has officially asked for a trade from the Warriors. The Heat, Lakers, Raptors, and Kings have all been linked to Kuminga.
Kuminga, after signing a new deal this offseason, became trade-eligible today, Jan. 15.
NBA Insider Zach Lowe initially reported it would take at least a young player or a first-round pick to acquire Kuminga.
“From what I’ve heard in the Kuminga situation, I’m not sure what you’ve heard, this might take a while because I think the Warriors want real stuff back to the tune of like a decent young player, a first-round pick,” Lowe said.
Now, the Warriors are prioritizing expiring contracts, possibly lowering their asking price, per ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater.
“League sources said the Warriors have been prioritizing expiring contracts in return for Kuminga,” report Charania and Slater.
This likely aims to facilitate another deal or create cap space for next season.
Kings Have Changed Their Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
The Kings continue pursuing Kuminga but have struggled to meet the Warriors’ demands.
“They’ve declined the idea of taking back long-term contracts unless they view it as no-brainer positive value,” write Charania and Slater. “That has been the holdup in conversations with Sacramento. The Warriors refuse to absorb the three years and $60.4 million remaining on Malik Monk’s deal, though league sources said Keon Ellis (on a cheap expiring deal) is a potential sweetener of interest to them.”
Kuminga’s struggles this season may explain the Warriors’ shift. In 18 games, he’s averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 24.8 minutes, shooting just 43.1% (career 50.7% shooting coming into the 2025-26 season).
That’s also likely why the Kings have changed their offer.
According to Michael Scotto, appearing on the No Dunks podcast, the Kings have “put some action behind their interest” when it comes to Kuminga.
“Over the summer they were willing, from what I have heard, to offer a protected first round pick,” Scotto said. “That does not appear to be on the table as of now. We’ll see if that changes coming up in the next few weeks.”
“Given the situation, it doesn’t seem likely.”
As the Feb. 5 deadline nears, much remains before a Kuminga deal materializes.
