The Golden State Warriors are staring down a hard truth in the aftermath of Jimmy Butler’s ACL tear: their path to title contention this season just slammed shut. And while there’s still plenty of conversation around Jonathan Kuminga’s future with the team, let’s be clear-moving him was never going to be the magic bullet that vaulted Golden State back into the championship picture.
That said, a trade still makes sense. The writing’s been on the wall for a while now-Kuminga needs a fresh start, and the Warriors could use some help in the margins. Even if the return isn’t flashy, a solid two-player package could at least stabilize the rotation.
Enter the latest hypothetical making the rounds: Kuminga to the Sacramento Kings for Malik Monk and Keon Ellis. It’s not a blockbuster, but it’s not nothing.
Monk brings scoring and playmaking-something the Warriors’ second unit has struggled to generate consistently. Ellis, meanwhile, is a gritty defender who could bring some tenacity to the perimeter.
On paper, it’s a deal that checks a few boxes for both sides. Monk’s offensive spark could be useful in Golden State’s system, especially with the bench often leaning too heavily on the starters to create offense. Ellis, while still finding his footing in Sacramento, has shown flashes of being a plus defender-something Steve Kerr’s rotation never says no to.
But here’s the rub: none of this moves the needle in any meaningful way. Without Butler in the mix, the Warriors’ ceiling has dropped, and a trade like this doesn’t raise it.
Monk is Sacramento’s seventh-leading scorer on a team that’s been underwhelming all season. Ellis, for all his defensive upside, can’t crack consistent minutes on a squad desperate for stops.
That’s telling.
Sure, you can make the case that both Monk and Ellis would have roles in Golden State’s current rotation. But roles aren’t the issue-impact is.
And if you’re asking whether this trade makes the Warriors a real threat in the West again, the answer is a firm no. Not even close.
Even if Monk gives you a scoring boost, is it really more than what rookie Brandin Podziemski is already providing? And on the defensive end, does Ellis bring enough to leapfrog guys like De’Anthony Melton or Gary Payton II in the rotation? Maybe he chips in here and there, but he’s not shifting the team’s trajectory.
That’s the real dilemma here. The Warriors are sitting eighth in the crowded Western Conference, and without Butler, they’re dangerously close to slipping further.
A marginal deal like this might tidy up the Kuminga situation, but it doesn’t solve the bigger problems. It doesn’t re-ignite their title hopes.
It doesn’t change the math.
Unfortunately for Golden State, the market for Kuminga seems tepid at best. He’s a young, athletic wing with upside, but the offers haven’t exactly been pouring in. So while the front office will keep working the phones-and Kuminga himself is likely eager for a new chapter-this Kings package might be the best offer on the table.
And that’s the tough part. Because even if it’s the best deal available, it’s still not good enough to matter.