Jonathan Kuminga couldn’t hit the demand trade now button quickly enough on January 15.
According to ESPN, the Golden State Warriors forward has officially asked for a trade on Thursday. The Warriors can begin actually negotiating, and all parties seem interested in the idea of divorce.
However, it’s getting complicated for Kuminga. Just one team has maintained a strong interest in Kuminga since the summer. The Sacramento Kings have what it takes to strike a Kuminga deal, but the Warriors will make those negotiations difficult, considering they don’t want what Sacramento has to offer.
As ESPN notes, the Warriors have been “prioritizing expiring contracts” in any potential Kuminga talks. Any offer that includes a long-term contract is likely to be declined. The Kings would be open to parting ways with the $60.4 million sharpshooter Malik Monk, but the Warriors “refuse” the idea of acquiring him.
Should the Warriors Change Their Stance?
Everybody but Kuminga has leverage in this situation.
The veteran forward signed a two-year deal, which could become a one-season run if the Warriors decline his option in the offseason. Kuminga will get paid a nice chunk of change, but it’s painfully obvious that he’s going to continue riding the bench if he doesn’t change teams by mid-February.
The Kings—or any other interested suitor—shouldn’t feel compelled to pay above market value just to convince the Warriors to cut ties with the veteran forward.
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While Sacramento still might have a win-now mindset, they aren’t going to instantly boost into contenders with a Kuminga pickup. They are really only bidding against themselves for the moment, so there’s no need to change their stance to help benefit the Warriors.
Golden State should do what they can to move Kuminga. He’s been a pro’s pro throughout the first few months of the season, but there’s a strong chance his mood changes if his request doesn’t get granted. The Warriors can’t handle a distraction—or a $22 million player wasting away on the bench—as they navigate through what’s been a “mediocre” season in the eyes of Jimmy Butler.
Golden State doesn’t have to chalk it up and accept Monk just to move Kuminga, but they should put in a strong effort to satisfy all parties in order to help themselves.
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