The Golden State Warriors‘ offseason saga involving Jonathan Kuminga was one of the team’s most crucial talking points this summer. After a long and arduous period of contract negotiations, the team finally managed to bring back the forward on a two-year deal.
While Kuminga’s return has been viewed positively by the Warriors’ ownership, the impact of the contract negotiations could have a major impact on the team’s morale. Additionally, now that a value has finally been ascribed to his contract, the 22-year-old becomes a more viable target for trade, especially since he has waived his no-trade clause.
On this note, Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey presented a trade proposal while addressing that Kuminga’s presence could be detrimental to Golden State’s performance this season. Here’s Bailey’s trade idea:
Proposed Trade Details
Golden State Warriors Receive: Corey Kispert, 2030 first-round pick (GSW)
Washington Wizards Receive: Jonathan Kuminga
How Do The Warriors Benefit From This?
Parting with Jonathan Kuminga, after a rather complicated offseason, could be in the best interests of both parties. Hence, acquiring a solid shooter like Corey Kispert along with their first-round pick from 2030 seems reasonable.
According to earlier comments by Steve Kerr, Kuminga wasn’t expected to earn a lot of playing time in the rotation, primarily due to a clash of roles with Jimmy Butler. In this regard, Kispert would be a dependable fit in virtually every situation.
The 26-year-old forward has established his role as a reliable perimeter threat who is capable of playing off-ball. Given that the Warriors primarily play with a motion offense, a player like Kispert would be a natural fit on the team.
For the 2024-25 season, he appeared in 61 games for the Washington Wizards, averaging 11.6 points and 3.0 rebounds, shooting 45.1% from the field and 35.4% from three-point range. In a different system, potentially with more open looks, he could improve upon his outside shooting efficiency, too.
Additionally, with a $13.9 million cap hit this season, Kispert’s addition allows Golden State to shed roughly $8.6 million in salary (owing to Jonathan Kuminga’s expected salary of $22.5 million).
Although Kispert doesn’t have star-caliber upside like Jonathan Kuminga, he is familiar with his role on a team. Given the importance of such players on title-contending squads, the 26-year-old could be a valuable addition for the Warriors.
Can Jonathan Kuminga Become An All-Star In Washington?
This trade scenario sees Jonathan Kuminga join the Washington Wizards, which, in a weird turn of events, would be the second time Golden State sends a star-caliber player to Washington.
The potential for Kuminga to be a star in Washington isn’t the best, but he would certainly be part of an interesting roster. The Wizards currently feature a blend of veteran experience and young talent. With the likes of CJ McCollum, Khris Middleton, and Alex Sarr in the starting lineup, Kuminga could carve out a role as a starter and serve as a dependable scoring option.
Last season, the 22-year-old averaged 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game on 45.4% shooting from the field. In Washington, with more playing time and a more relevant role on offense, the forward could see a notable increase in production.
Kuminga possesses immense potential and the physical tools to help him make the most of his talent. If he succeeds in establishing himself as a scoring threat, he could be one step closer to aligning with his goal of becoming an All-Star.
The Warriors Don’t Do This Deal
Bailey’s argument that parting with Kuminga would be beneficial for the Warriors is plausible. However, recent reports have indicated that both parties share the same goal for the upcoming season.
While locker room clashes are inevitable, the Warriors’ core seems focused on maintaining cohesion as they direct their focus toward making a title push. In a way, this paints a positive picture of the team’s leadership, but in the context of this trade scenario, it negates any possibility of this deal going through.
This doesn’t imply that Golden State won’t trade Jonathan Kuminga in the future. The Warriors will simply consider the offer that helps them achieve their goals. If the deal is right, a trade to send Kuminga away would not be out of the question.
