Jonathan Kuminga Trade to Suns or Kings Reportedly 'Unlikely' amid Warriors Rumors

As the Golden State Warriors make a renewed effort to bring back Jonathan Kuminga, the possibility of a trade involving the veteran forward doesn't look good at this point in the offseason.

Per The Athletic's Sam Amick, a sign-and-trade sending Kuminga to either the Phoenix Suns or Sacramento Kings is considered "unlikely" unless either team makes "significant" changes to their current offers.

On Monday, ESPN's Anthony Slater and Shams Charania reported Golden State general manager Mike Dunleavy increased the team's offer to three years and $75.2 million for Kuminga.

The deal would guarantee Kuminga $48.3 million over the first two seasons, with the third season being a team option. Slater and Charania added there would also be a "subliminal understanding" that the deal is more of a trade asset than a commitment to a partnership.

Earlier in the offseason, Slater and Charania noted the Suns and Kings were the most prominent suitors for Kuminga. Both teams were offering deals in the range of $90 million over four years, with a player option for the final season.

According to Amick, the main sticking point for the Warriors in a proposed sign-and-trade with the Kings is Sacramento's insistence on the protections attached to a 2030 first-round draft pick.

Kuminga's status appears to be holding up other free agents because a contract that pays him around $22 million per season would hard cap the the Warriors. They have been connected to Al Horford throughout the summer, but aren't in position to make a move until they figure things out with Kuminga.

One potential solution for Kuminga would be to sign his restricted free agent tender worth $10.2 million, then hit unrestricted free agency next summer. There is risk in that approach if he were to suffer a significant injury, but the upside is it would allow him to hit the market going into his age-24 season.

League rules state that Oct. 1 is the deadline for restricted free agents to sign the qualifying offer, but the date can be pushed back if both the player and team agree to do so.

The Warriors are less than two weeks away from opening training camp on Sept. 29. They will play their first preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 5.

Kuminga averaged 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in 47 appearances for the Warriors last season.