Warriors Must Keep Jonathan Kuminga amid NBA Trade Rumors Following Loss to Lakers

The Golden State Warriors spent last offseason celebrating an NBA title.

They could spend this one doing some serious soul-searching following their second-round loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

That series exposed several gaps within this group. Covering said voids will be tricky with the club heavy on pricey contracts and light on trade assets.

It's possible that could nudge them toward shopping Jonathan Kuminga, the No. 7 pick in 2021 who was left out of the postseason rotation. They will reportedly discuss his future with his representatives, per The Athletic's Anthony Slater and Shams Charania. It's said Kuminga will want out if he isn't going to get a full-time role moving forward.

Dealing Kuminga would be a mistake, though, for reasons we'll delve into here.

His Trade Value Is Down

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 10: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before Game Five of the Western Conference Semi-Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers on May 10, 2023 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Kuminga is 20 years old and not even two years removed from being a top-10 pick. If the Warriors shopped him, they wouldn't have trouble finding suitors.

Still, no one can argue his value is at an all-time high. His vanishing act from the postseason rotation happened. The Warriors had 13 playoff games; he logged double-digit minutes in one of them. He never got off the bench in three games and received fewer than five minutes of floor time in six others.

The entire hoops world saw it. Potential trade poachers will assuredly hold that against Golden State. The Warriors just saw this play out with James Wiseman, the No. 2 pick in 2020, who was moved at the 2023 deadline to bring back defensive specialist Gary Payton II.

If Kuminga wasn't good enough to be a playoff regular for the Warriors, why would other teams think he's good enough for them to part with premier assets to get? Even if they buy his upside, they'll bank his present into their offer.

His Potential Is Enormous

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ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 17: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors dunks during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on March 17, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Kuminga needs polish. That's the reason the win-now Warriors have had trouble finding major minutes for him.

If he adds that polish, though, his ceiling stretches as high as a skyscraper. That's why Golden State spent that No. 7 pick on him and why it has carved out the floor time it can for him.

In the leadup to the 2021 draft, The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor heaped plenty of praise on to Kuminga. The strengths section of O'Connor's scouting report highlighted everything from Kuminga's "excellent physical profile" and "elite defensive potential" to his "flashes [of] advanced shot-creation abilities," finishing, rebounding and first-read passing.

If Kuminga maxes out his potential, he'll be the proverbial total package. Based on his play style, physical tools and skill set, it's much easier to envision him becoming a star in the modern NBA than it was with Wiseman.

The Dubs Need Cheap Contributors

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 25: Jonathan Kuminga #00 and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after Kuminga slam dunked and was fouled on the play against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of an NBA game at Chase Center on January 25, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

You know in cartoons when a character sees something so jarring their eyes will literally pop out of their heads? Well, if you've ever wanted to experience that sensation, just glance over this franchise's financial picture.

As things stand, the Warriors have four different players slated to collect salaries north of $24 million next season, per Spotrac. That includes the more than $94 million headed to siblings-in-splash, Stephen Curry ($51.9 million) and Klay Thompson ($43.2 million). It does not include Draymond Green, who could add to that figure by picking up his $27.6 million player option or signing a new deal with a similar starting salary.

Somehow, it gets even worse, as the club could be eyeballing a luxury tax hit of "roughly $250 million," per The Athletic's John Hollinger. And remember, the league's new collective bargaining agreement, which punishes big spenders like never before, will only make these expenses even harder to manage.

That gives Kuminga's rookie deal added value in Golden State. If the Warriors expand his role—his physical gifts are unique on this roster, so you'd think they should—he is one of the few players with a realistic chance of outperforming his pay rate. That is massively important for an organization that needs to squeeze the value out of every dollar it spends.