Jonathan Kuminga Trade Reportedly Expected to Be Eyed by Warriors Once Eligible
Even though Jonathan Kuminga is officially under contract to the Golden State Warriors after a long offseason stalemate, the rumors about his future aren't going to stop anytime soon.
Per NBA insider Jake Fischer, the "mounting expectation" around the league is that Kuminga will be made available in a trade by the Warriors when he becomes eligible on Jan. 15:
"The mounting expectation, as a result, is that the Warriors will make Kuminga available in the trade market once he becomes eligible to be dealt on Jan. 15 to see what sort of return is out there for the 22-year-old before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. I'm told that the relationship across this bargaining table, after such long-running talks, is certainly strained. How Kuminga fits with the Butler Era Warriors will thus be one of the key storylines to track through the season's first few months. If Kuminga struggles to establish a consistent role under Warriors coach Steve Kerr, as he has in the past, his name is destined be at the forefront of Trade Season speculation."
Kuminga, who was a restricted free agent, signed a two-year, $46.8 million contract on Tuesday. The deal includes a team option for the 2026-27 season that ESPN's Shams Charania noted is designed to be "ripped up and renegotiated next summer."
The fact that trade rumors will continue to follow Kuminga around this season isn't a huge surprise. Golden State engaged in potential sign-and-trade proposals with the Sacramento Kings during the offseason centered around the 22-year-old and Malik Monk.
Kuminga's $22.5 million salary is a nice chunk of money that the Warriors can build a deal around to fill any holes that might emerge on their roster over the course of their season.
The Warriors were actually done a favor by Kuminga and his camp when they accepted this deal rather than take the qualifying offer worth around $8 million. The one-year tender would have come with an inherent no-trade clause.
Even though Kuminga guaranteed himself more money by taking the two-year deal, which includes a 15 percent trade kicker, he is now set up to potentially get traded and be on the acquiring team next season thanks to the club option.
