Why the Kings-Warriors Trade for Kuminga Never Happened - And What Malik Monk Had to Do With It
For months, the Sacramento Kings had their sights set on Jonathan Kuminga. The high-flying forward had long been a target dating back to last summer, and the Kings made no secret about their interest in striking a deal with their Northern California rivals, the Golden State Warriors.
But when the dust settled at this week’s NBA trade deadline, Kuminga wasn’t headed to Sacramento. Instead, his time in the Bay came to a close with a move to Atlanta, where the Warriors dealt him to the Hawks in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis. That move effectively shut the door on any potential Kings-Warriors swap - a door that had been cracked open for nearly a year.
The Kings’ Offer: Monk and a First-Rounder
Back in the offseason, Sacramento floated a deal that centered around Malik Monk and a future protected first-round pick. On paper, it made some sense: Monk, a dynamic scorer and playmaker, would’ve added an offensive punch to a Warriors bench that had been looking for a spark. And for the Kings, Kuminga offered the kind of athletic, two-way wing they’ve been trying to pair with their core of De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
But as the season rolled on, that first-round pick came off the table. What remained was Monk - a player whose salary lined up well for a deal, but whose name didn’t generate much traction inside Golden State’s front office.
Despite first-year GM Scott Perry staying in contact with the Warriors up through the deadline, the interest was never mutual. And now, we have a better idea why.
Why the Warriors Passed on Monk
According to reporting from KNBR’s John Dickinson, the Warriors’ lack of interest in Monk had less to do with his game - and more to do with the locker room.
“The Warriors don’t have a lot of Malik Monk fans in their locker room,” Dickinson explained in a recent radio appearance. That sentiment, he said, stems from a moment that dates back to the 2023 playoffs - specifically, the intense first-round series between Golden State and Sacramento.
After the Kings stormed into Chase Center and dominated Game 6 to force a Game 7, Monk didn’t hold back in his postgame comments. He reportedly took a jab at the Warriors’ aging core, implying they were “old, busted, and cooked.” That didn’t sit well with Golden State’s veterans - and it didn’t go unnoticed.
We all remember what happened next. Steph Curry responded with one of the greatest Game 7 performances in league history, dropping 50 points and sending the Kings home. It was a mic-drop moment from the reigning champs, and a not-so-subtle answer to Monk’s bulletin-board material.
The Mike Brown Factor
But that wasn’t the only issue. According to Dickinson, there’s another layer to the Warriors’ hesitation - and it involves former Kings head coach Mike Brown.
Brown, who spent years as a trusted assistant under Steve Kerr and was part of multiple championship runs, still has plenty of supporters inside the Warriors’ locker room and coaching staff. His firing in Sacramento raised some eyebrows - and Monk, reportedly, was one of the players who had friction with Brown during his tenure.
That, too, played a role in how Monk was viewed by the Warriors. As Dickinson put it, “Mike Brown has a ton of fans in the Warriors locker room, among the championship core of players, staff, and coaches.” That loyalty runs deep, and it likely made the idea of bringing Monk into that environment a nonstarter.
Where That Leaves Sacramento
For now, the Kings move forward with Monk still in the fold - and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. He remains one of the league’s most electric sixth men, capable of swinging games with his scoring and energy. But the front office’s pursuit of a player like Kuminga shows they’re still hunting for that next piece to elevate them in the Western Conference hierarchy.
As for Kuminga, he gets a fresh start in Atlanta. And the Warriors? They opted for size and versatility in Porzingis, signaling a shift in their roster construction as they try to retool around Curry while the window remains open.
The Kings and Warriors may be neighbors, but when it came to this trade deadline, they were never quite on the same page.
Upcoming Kings Schedule
The Kings will look to stay in the thick of the playoff race with a crucial stretch of games ahead:
- Friday, Feb. 6 - vs. Clippers, 7:00 PM PT
- Saturday, Feb. 7 - vs. Cavaliers, 7:00 PM PT
- Monday, Feb. 9 - @ Pelicans, 5:00 PM PT
- Wednesday, Feb. 11 - @ Jazz, 6:00 PM PT
- Thursday, Feb. 19 - vs. Magic, 7:00 PM PT
The trade deadline may have passed without a splash from Sacramento, but the season - and the playoff push - is far from over.