With the NBA trade deadline just days away, the Jonathan Kuminga saga continues to hang over the Golden State Warriors like a cloud no one can quite clear. The Sacramento Kings had been one of the more logical landing spots for the 21-year-old forward, but after their recent move to bring in De’Andre Hunter and ship out Keon Ellis, that door may be closing - if it hasn’t already slammed shut.
Let’s break this down.
Sacramento’s Move Signals a Shift
The Kings’ acquisition of Hunter, a versatile wing with upside but his own question marks, suggests they may be pivoting away from Kuminga. Swapping out Ellis - a player who, on paper, would’ve fit nicely into the Warriors’ defensive-minded, high-IQ system - further complicates the trade landscape. If Golden State had any interest in a Kuminga-for-assets swap involving Sacramento, Ellis likely would’ve been a key piece in that puzzle.
Does that mean the Kings are officially out? Not necessarily.
Sacramento has made some curious roster decisions in the past, and there’s always the chance they double down on wing depth. But from a pure basketball logic standpoint, their recent moves don’t exactly scream “we’re still in on Kuminga.”
Warriors’ Leverage Problem
Here’s the real issue: Golden State doesn’t have much leverage. Kuminga’s reported trade request - or “demand,” depending on who you ask - hasn’t exactly sparked a league-wide bidding war. And that’s not surprising when you consider the context.
The Warriors’ handling of Kuminga’s development, along with his inconsistent role and the team’s overall struggles this season, have done little to boost his market value. As GM Mike Dunleavy put it, “When you make a demand, there needs to be demand.”
That’s a brutal quote, but it’s also spot-on. Right now, there just isn’t a long line of teams clamoring to bring in a young forward who hasn’t consistently cracked the rotation of a team desperate for athleticism and energy.
What Could a Trade Even Look Like?
If the Warriors are still looking to move Kuminga, the options are dwindling - and getting weirder. One hypothetical floated around involves Kuminga, Gui Santos, and Will Richard heading out in a deal for DeMar DeRozan.
It technically works in the trade machine, but let’s be honest: it’s a stretch. That kind of blockbuster feels more like a fantasy trade than a real possibility, especially this close to the deadline.
The Most Likely Outcome? More of the Same
At this point, the most realistic scenario might be the one no one wants: Kuminga stays put, the Warriors pick up his team option for next season, and we run this whole thing back again in a few months. It’s not ideal for the player, the team, or the fanbase - but unless something changes fast, it’s looking more and more likely.
The Kings seemed like the team that could’ve brought this saga to an end. Now, they might be just another team that’s moved on. Unless, of course, Sacramento decides to do what Sacramento sometimes does - make a move that defies conventional wisdom and swing for a player like Kuminga anyway.
Until then, the Warriors are stuck in limbo. And with the trade deadline looming, the clock is ticking louder than ever.