Fifth-year Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga prefers a move to the Sacramento Kings over the Phoenix Suns, per ESPN’s Marc J. Spears.
On the July 30 episode of “NBA Today” on ESPN, Spears noted that the Kings are offering him the spot of starting power forward, which Kuminga prefers.
“He wants to go [to Sacramento],” Spears reported. “The Kings are offering a starting spot, as the power forward, next to Keegan Murray and [Domantas] Sabonis.”
Spears added that Kuminga recently spoke to the Kings GM Scott Perry, assistant GM BJ Armstrong, and head coach Doug Christie over a Zoom call.
“He’s in. He wants to go there, but the Warriors don’t like the first [pick being offered].”
“The Kings are offering a starting spot. He’s talked on a zoom call with Scott Perry, BJ Armstrong and also with Doug Christie. He’s in.”
He also said the Suns have offered:
Royce O’Neale Nick Richards 4 2nd round picks
Warriors Reject Suns Offer
As has been widely documented, the Warriors rejected the Suns’ trade offer of Royce O’Neale, Nick Richards and four second-round picks. While the Suns don’t have a tradeable first-round pick to offer, the Warriors have reportedly insisted on at least one unprotected first-round asset in any potential trade for Kuminga.
The Suns were reportedly willing to offer Kuminga a four-year deal worth $90 million, but couldn’t execute a sign-and-trade due to their lack of attractive assets.
“Phoenix has made the most lucrative push via sign-and-trade,” reported ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater on July 30.
“Based on the collective bargaining agreement, the Warriors’ proposed one-plus-one contract would have an inherent no-trade clause, as Kuminga’s next team wouldn’t maintain his Bird rights,” read the report. “That would give Kuminga a level of control over his next NBA home, should the Warriors decide to move him. But the Warriors have requested that he waive that implied no-trade clause, sources said, similar to what D’Angelo Russell did for his Lakers contract in the summer of 2023.”
Warriors Lowball Jonathan Kuminga
The report added that Kuminga’s cap initially offered a framework for a three-year, $82 million deal, which the Warriors rejected, responding with a two-year deal worth $40 million. Earlier this week, they upped the offer to two years and $45 million.
“Kuminga prefers the longer-term offers presented by the Kings and Suns because he believes they signify a fresh start, a larger guaranteed role, a promised starting position and a greater level of respect and career control, shown in part through the player option, sources said. Phoenix’s proposal is also nearly $70 million more guaranteed than the Warriors’ offer.”
NBA analyst Austin Rivers believes Kuminga is right to seek a move, as the Warriors have historically not been a great spot for younger talents.
“That’s not a place that historically has developed young talent,” he said.
“When you look at other young prospects, they brought players in strategically to fit around Steph. They still play through Steph. Steph said in an interview the other day, ‘I’m nowhere near retiring. That train is still moving.’ You know, they signed Jimmy to a two-year extension, a guy who plays the same position as Kuminga, two years $120 million, so that doesn’t tell Kuminga right then and there that this is the direction we’re going in.”
Jonathan Kuminga Has Reportedly Chosen His Next Team: ‘He’s In’