Earlier this summer, a sign-and-trade deal was rumored to be a potential solution to the Golden State Warriors' ongoing contract stalemate with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. ESPN's Anthony Slater and Shams Charania confirmed on Sept. 15 that the Warriors had explored that option but ultimately didn't go through with making any significant roster moves.
"The Warriors had shut down sign-and-trades, steadfast all offseason in declining frameworks of Royce O'Neal and second-round compensation from the Phoenix Suns and Malik Monk and a future first-round pick from the Sacramento Kings, sources said," Slater and Charania wrote.
NBA insider Jake Fischer provided more clarification on the potential Warriors-Kings trade during an "Insider Notebook" livestream on Bleacher Report's app and YouTube page on Sept. 17.
Kings' return package for Kuminga not to Warriors' liking, according to Fischer
The trade not going through came down to the Warriors believing that the Kings' return package did not equate to Kuminga's value, Fischer said.
"If the Warriors thought that Malik Monk and a first-round pick was net value for Jonathan Kuminga, then Kuminga would've already been a member of the Sacramento Kings," Fischer said. "That was, at least, floated on the table all summer long, and the Warriors — to my understanding, from various people in the organization — did not view that deal as worthwhile for them to losing Jonathan Kuminga.
"I think they are looking at Kuminga as their one young, athletic, two-way, blue-chip prospect on their roster currently who could both help them now, add athleticism on the wing behind Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green, but also as a key piece to going out and getting a major piece, like Trey Murphy," Fischer added. "The 'pie in the sky' target is Giannis [Antetokounmpo]. I don't think the Warriors will have enough to get into that conversation. ... But, clearly, Malik Monk and a first-round pick is not what the Warriors have had in mind in exchange for Kuminga, neither [are] whatever expiring contracts and second-round picks the Suns have put on the table for him."
With those options now off the table, the Warriors have revamped their efforts to re-sign Kuminga and keep him on the roster for the start of the 2025-26 campaign. The organization recently made a three-year, $75.2 million offer (with a team option for the third season) to him, according to Slater and Charania. Kuminga, however, rejected the offer, citing his desire for there to be a player option for the third season instead.
That's where the situation remains a little over a month before the regular season begins, though the Kings are still "under the impression that Kuminga does, in fact, want to play for them," according to The Athletic's Sam Amick.