The Warriors made a move at the trade deadline - but whether it was the right one is still very much up for debate.
Golden State managed to flip Jonathan Kuminga’s contract for real value, something that looked like a long shot just a few weeks ago. When Kuminga requested a trade in mid-January, the market for him was quiet. Teams weren’t exactly lining up with offers, and the Warriors were facing the real possibility of having to either hold onto a disgruntled player or settle for pennies on the dollar.
Instead, they landed Kristaps Porzingis.
Now, Porzingis is no scrub - when healthy, he’s a skilled 7-footer who stretches the floor and protects the rim. But let’s be honest: this wasn’t the kind of splash many expected when Kuminga’s name hit the rumor mill.
The Warriors had structured Kuminga’s two-year, $46.8 million deal (with a club option) to be both team-friendly and large enough to serve as a trade chip in pursuit of a star. Porzingis, on an expiring contract, doesn’t exactly scream long-term impact.
So while Golden State deserves credit for getting something of value - and not just letting Kuminga’s situation fester - it’s fair to wonder if they left something bigger on the table.
One name that looms large here: Trey Murphy III.
According to reporting from Brett Siegel, the Warriors were deep in talks with the Pelicans about a deal that would’ve sent Kuminga, an unprotected 2026 first-rounder, and a lightly protected 2028 first-round pick to New Orleans in exchange for Murphy. That’s a significant offer - two picks and a young talent for a player who’s blossoming into one of the league’s most versatile wings.
Murphy’s numbers this season speak for themselves: 22.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists per game, and a smooth 38% from three. He’s the kind of two-way wing who fits seamlessly into Golden State’s system - a guy who can defend multiple positions, space the floor, and play off the ball. In short, a Warriors prototype.
If that deal was truly on the table and didn’t get done, it’s going to sting. Especially because Golden State’s flexibility just took a major hit.
By moving Kuminga and Buddy Hield, the Warriors shed $35 million in movable salary. That’s a huge chunk of trade ballast gone.
Right now, the most tradeable contract they’ve got belongs to Moses Moody, who’s set to make $37.5 million over the next three years on his rookie extension. That’s not nearly enough to match salaries for a player of Murphy’s caliber, let alone a true star.
The Warriors still have their full suite of draft picks, which gives them some leverage. But without mid-sized contracts to make the money work, they’ll have to get creative - or wait until the offseason, when more teams are open for business.
And that’s the gamble here. Golden State opted to hold onto its draft capital, perhaps in anticipation of a bigger move down the line.
Maybe they believe a true star will shake loose this summer. Maybe Porzingis gives them the frontcourt presence they’ve been missing and helps them make a run.
But if neither of those things materialize, the decision to pass on Murphy - and to part with Kuminga without upgrading the roster in a meaningful, long-term way - could end up looking like a missed opportunity.
This is a franchise that’s always played the long game, balancing the present with the future. But as the core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green ages, the margin for error shrinks. Moves like this - or non-moves, depending on how you look at it - carry more weight.
The Warriors didn’t walk away empty-handed. But they may have walked away from something bigger.