Jonathan Kuminga Trade, Contract Reportedly Interests Suns After Bradley Beal Buyout
After parting ways with veteran shooting guard Bradley Beal with a contract buyout, the Phoenix Suns reportedly have turned their attention to pursuing Golden State Warriors restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Suns are "the latest team to express exploratory interest in a Kuminga sign-and-trade."
The Suns completed a buyout with Beal on Wednesday by utilizing the waive-and-stretch provision to spread the $99 million owed to Beal over the next five years at $20 million per season. They wasted no time in pivoting, as Fischer noted that they "have contacted both Kuminga's representation and the Warriors to make their fondness for the bouncy swingman known."
However, Phoenix could struggle to put together a package that entices Golden State to part ways with the 22-year-old rising young forward. Fischer reported that the Suns "do not appear to possess the sort of draft capital or players that Golden State is believed to be seeking in exchange for Kuminga."
Phoenix's interest in Kuminga dates back to the 2024-25 season, as he reportedly "certainly did come up in trade talks between the teams" near the February trade deadline when the Warriors were pursuing a reunion with star forward Kevin Durant, per Fischer. Durant ultimately decided not to return to Golden State, and the team instead complete a trade with the Miami Heat to acquire veteran forward Jimmy Butler.
The Warriors have yet to reach an agreement with Kuminga to re-sign him, so the door remains open for the Suns to try to convince them to let him go. Still, it's clear that Golden State won't be giving him away without the right offer.
