The major news for the Golden State Warriors ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season is that the franchise is not interested in signing budding star Jonathan Kuminga to a max extension. Despite posting a career-high 16.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season, the Warriors don’t believe the forward is indispensable and could look to cash in on him this summer considering he has a $10,240,287 qualifying offer in 2025-26 and could be a free agent after that.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers could look to improve their roster depth and add a budding star to pair with LeBron James and Anthony Davis by engaging in a blockbuster deal for Jonathan Kuminga. We have proposed what this trade package could look like and it would break the media if it were to happen.
Trade Details
Golden State Warriors Receive: Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Christian Wood, 2029 First-Round Top-10 Protected Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Jonathan Kuminga
This trade package sees two rivals engage in a shocking mock trade and we will break down how it works out for both teams and who would win this deal.
Los Angeles Lakers Have Their Star For The Future
The addition of Jonathan Kuminga gives the Los Angeles Lakers a dynamic two-way player who can develop alongside Anthony Davis and serve as a cornerstone for the team once LeBron James eventually retires. Kuminga, who averaged 16.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season, has shown flashes of All-Star potential with his athleticism, defensive versatility, and ability to score at all three levels. His size at 6’8″ and wingspan make him an ideal modern forward who has highlight-reel plays in his game and fits the Lakers in that sense.
Kuminga’s ceiling remains high due to his age and skill set. At just 21 years old heading into the 2024-25 season, he provides the Lakers with a young star to build around in the post-LeBron era. His ability to run the floor and contribute defensively fits seamlessly into the Lakers’ system, where they’ve historically valued players who can both protect the rim and excel in transition. Pairing Kuminga with Davis, a dominant defensive force, creates a formidable frontcourt with immense potential on both ends of the floor.
With Kuminga’s addition, the Lakers solidify themselves as a contender for both the present and future. While LeBron’s timeline is nearing its end, Kuminga ensures that the franchise won’t face a talent void once the future Hall of Famer departs. The Lakers have managed to find a balance between staying competitive now and securing a star for the next generation, making this trade a strategic win for their long-term prospects.
Golden State Warriors Embrace A Rebuild Around Stephen Curry
Parting with Kuminga signals a shift in their team-building approach for the Warriors, considering they let Klay Thompson walk away in free agency to sign a three-year, $50 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks. After years of contending with a veteran core, Golden State may acknowledge that a hybrid rebuild around Stephen Curry is the smarter path forward. In this trade, the Warriors receive several young assets, including Rui Hachimura and Jalen Hood-Schifino, who are both talented players with room to grow. Hachimura, fresh off averaging 13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds for the Lakers, offers a more polished offensive game compared to Kuminga, while Hood-Schifino’s potential as a young guard provides developmental upside.
Meanwhile, Jarred Vanderbilt, known for his defensive tenacity, adds much-needed versatility on defense for a Warriors team that struggled to regain its defensive identity last season. Alongside Draymond Green, Vanderbilt could form an imposing defensive front, making up for the loss of Kuminga’s athleticism. Additionally, the inclusion of Christian Wood provides a stretch-big option to give Curry more spacing on the floor, as Wood is only one season ahead of averaging 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 37.6% from three in 2022-23.
The long-term benefit for Golden State is the 2029 first-round pick from the Lakers, a top-10 protected asset that could yield significant value depending on how Los Angeles’ roster evolves post-LeBron and Davis. By offloading Kuminga, the Warriors pivot toward a more gradual rebuild without fully abandoning the current Curry-led window, focusing on complementary pieces that fit better alongside their remaining stars.
A Shocking Trade That Makes The Lakers Major Winners
This trade would certainly shake up the Western Conference and put the Lakers in a prime position to contend immediately while planning for their future. Jonathan Kuminga’s potential is undeniable, and landing him at this stage of his career could be a major coup for Los Angeles. With LeBron James still playing at an elite level and Anthony Davis fully healthy, the Lakers would suddenly have a young, explosive player capable of filling multiple roles on both ends of the court. Kuminga’s ability to play small forward or power forward allows the Lakers to experiment with lineups, increasing their depth and flexibility.
Meanwhile, parting ways with Hachimura, Vanderbilt, and Wood is a calculated risk. While all three have played significant roles for the Lakers, none possess the upside that Kuminga brings to the table. Vanderbilt’s defense and rebounding, Hachimura’s scoring off the bench, and Wood’s shooting are valuable, but the Lakers could easily replace their production through other acquisitions. Kuminga, on the other hand, is a talent with star potential, and the Lakers are banking on that upside materializing in their system.
Ultimately, this trade would give the Lakers a legitimate chance to extend their championship window while simultaneously setting themselves up for life after LeBron. Kuminga’s growth alongside Davis could turn Los Angeles into a perennial contender, and even if LeBron’s dominance fades, the Lakers would remain a threat in the West. This deal positions them as one of the major winners of the offseason, showcasing the front office’s ability to think both short-term and long-term in their quest for more titles.
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