Jonathan Kuminga's future in Golden State has been a hot topic around the league for a while now, and the noise is only getting louder. Now, things may be reaching a boiling point with a proposed eight-team blockbuster that would not only send Kuminga packing but also bring a familiar face back to the Bay: Klay Thompson.
Yeah, you read that right. According to a proposal floated by Eric Pincus, this hypothetical mega-deal would involve the Warriors, Jazz, Mavericks, Magic, Nets, Nuggets, Raptors, and Suns. And if it actually happened, it would go down as the largest trade in NBA history-eclipsing even the massive Kevin Durant deal from last summer.
Let’s break down what this would mean for Golden State.
The Warriors’ Haul: A Reunion and a Reset
In this proposed scenario, the Warriors would receive Klay Thompson, Jonathan Isaac, Day’Ron Sharpe, Garrett Temple, and a 2027 first-round pick from the Jazz. That’s a mix of familiar chemistry, defensive upside, and some future draft capital. But the headline, without a doubt, is Thompson.
Klay spent 13 seasons with the Warriors before heading to Dallas in the 2024 offseason. Bringing him back would reunite him with Steph Curry and Draymond Green-an emotional and strategic move that could give the trio one last run at glory.
According to Pincus, this would also align with Curry’s reported desire to see Thompson back in a Warriors uniform. If Green opts into the final year of his deal, the band could be back together through 2026-27.
From a basketball standpoint, Thompson would be stepping in for Buddy Hield, who’s struggled to find his shooting rhythm this season. Swapping Hield’s inconsistency for Thompson’s familiarity and proven playoff pedigree could stabilize the Warriors’ backcourt rotation in the short term.
Kuminga Heads to Utah: A Fresh Start
On the other side of the deal, Kuminga would be heading to Utah, along with Hunter Tyson from Denver and Nigel Hayes-Davis from Phoenix. For Kuminga, this could be exactly what he needs: a clean slate and a bigger role.
The 23-year-old forward has seen his minutes shrink this season, falling out of Steve Kerr’s rotation after a summer that saw him linger in restricted free agency limbo. For a player once viewed as a cornerstone of the Warriors’ next chapter, it’s been a frustrating turn. A move to Utah could give Kuminga the developmental runway he hasn’t gotten in Golden State.
Who Else Moves?
This deal also includes the departures of Buddy Hield, Al Horford, and Trayce Jackson-Davis from the Warriors. While none of those names carry the same weight as Kuminga or Thompson, they’re not throw-ins either. Hield’s shooting slump has limited his impact, Horford is in the twilight of his career, and Jackson-Davis-still early in his NBA journey-would be a developmental piece for his next team.
Big Picture: A Swing for Closure and Contention
For Golden State, this trade would be about more than just shuffling the roster. It would be about closing the loop on the Kuminga saga, which has hovered over the team since last offseason.
It would be about giving Steph Curry the chance to chase another ring with the guys he built a dynasty with. And it would be about re-centering the franchise’s identity around its core, even as the league continues to evolve.
Of course, this is all hypothetical for now. But if the Warriors are truly looking to thread the needle between honoring their past and stabilizing their present, this kind of deal might be the boldest-and most emotional-way to do it.