In a bold play to elevate their roster, the Sacramento Kings can settle on a clever sign-and-trade proposal targeting 22-year-old swingman Jonathan Kuminga from the Golden State Warriors. With a Big Three of Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan already in place, the Kings know they’re close, but missing that final piece could be the difference between contention and playoff disappointment.
Kuminga, a 2022 NBA champion with high-upside athleticism and scoring chops, could be that defining star their lineup desperately needs. With the specifics of the offer to be discussed below, the buzz centers around Sacramento leveraging talents like Malik Monk and Devin Carter, along with strong future draft capital, in exchange for Kuminga’s talents and upside in a sign-and-trade, one of the few viable paths given his restricted free agent status.
If the deal goes through, the Kings would be swinging for the fences: adding Kuminga to a frontcourt already featuring rebounding, scoring, and veteran leadership could be the push they need to break through the Western Conference ceiling. Let’s go through the deal.
Proposed Trade Details
Sacramento Kings Receive: Jonathan Kuminga (Sign-and-Trade)
Golden State Warriors Receive: Malik Monk, Devin Carter, 2028 first-round pick (SAC), 2029 first-round pick (SAC)
Sacramento Kings Find Their Future Star, Make Immediate Playoff Push
The Kings have assembled a decently strong core, Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan, that already gives them a balanced mix of scoring, rebounding, and veteran savvy. Still, one elite young centerpiece could make all the difference. Enter Jonathan Kuminga: a 22-year-old athletic forward whose sign-and-trade arrival from Golden State would inject explosive upside.
Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game on 45.4% shooting last season, showcasing some ability to stretch the floor and finish at the rim, even with a 30.5% three-point clip. Obviously, there are signs of room to grow.
Sacramento’s frontcourt, anchored by Sabonis’s double-double production, could blend beautifully with Kuminga’s quick-twitch athleticism. During the playoffs, Kuminga notched 24.3 PPG on 55.4% shooting and 38.9% from deep over the final four games, a testament to his ability to deliver under pressure.
Adding his youth and vigor to an established Big Three would not only improve rotation depth but elevate the ceiling of this playoff-ready team. It’s a risk with upside. Kuminga posted a negative efficiency rating (-4.7 rTS%) in the regular season, ranking in the bottom third league-wide.
But his per-100-possession scoring was 30.6 points, second only to Curry on Golden State. For a Kings squad one piece away, betting on his high-end scoring ceiling and athletic upside could pay major dividends.
Golden State Warriors Find Guards To Help Stephen Curry
For the Warriors, trading Kuminga could open cap space and roster flexibility to enrich their backcourt alongside Curry. With the 22-year-old entering restricted free agency and seeking $25-30 million per year, Golden State is open to sign-and-trade options to recoup value.
The additional flexibility could be used to bring in ready-made guards who better complement their championship roster, especially since the Warriors have lost depth with the departure of Kevon Looney and the expected departure of Gary Payton II. A fresh offer of Monk, Carter, and two first-round picks could be what the Warriors accept.
Targeting proven backcourt support could more promptly stabilize their rotation and offload future risks attached to a long-term Kuminga commitment. The willingness to explore deals last season, acquiring Jimmy Butler and even involving Detroit for Dennis Schroder, underlines Golden State’s urgency to deepen guard play around Curry while maintaining roster balance.
A Win-Win Trade That Gives The Kings Mainly What They Need
From Sacramento’s perspective, shipping out Malik Monk, Devin Carter, and two picks for Kuminga delivers a young, controllable asset with star-level upside. Monk was inconsistent as a scorer off the bench, and Carter is still developing. This deal would trade depth for high-ceiling upside, a calculated leap for a team on the brink.
Meanwhile, the 2031 first-round pick gives the Warriors additional long-term flexibility. Golden State, in return, receives rotation players now, Monk and Carter, to shore up their perimeter. These pieces can contribute right away and help sustain Curry’s runs deep into the postseason. A future first-rounder also adds future flexibility, either for draft use or further sign-and-trade maneuvers.
In the end, it’s wrenching an emerging talent from their young core for both sides, but structured smartly, it’s a calculated risk. Sacramento enhances its ceiling and playoff momentum, while Golden State gains both short-term guard depth and a future asset. If executed cleanly, this trade could be a textbook example of complementary strategy, a near-ready contender multiplies potential, and a seasoned champion deepens around its pillars.
