A blockbuster Jonathan Kuminga trade is becoming more realistic for the Golden State Warriors by the day.
The injured 6-foot-7 forward is currently the franchise’s most valuable trade asset, as he possesses the upside necessary to convince a franchise to take him off the Warriors’ hands for good.
According to Forbes’ Evan Sidery, the Dubs are ‘widely expected’ to monitor a blockbuster trade involving Kuminga and the Sacramento Kings.
“The Kings and Warriors, who had dialogue around Jonathan Kuminga, are widely expected to pick up talks again ahead of the deadline around a bigger framework.
"Golden State can build a compelling package around Kuminga, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield for Domantas Sabonis and Keon Ellis.”
As Sidery noted in his tweet, Kuminga was linked to the Kings during the offseason, but a beneficial deal never materialized. On September 16, the Stein Line’s Jake Fischer broke down why the two parties failed to reach an agreement.
“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 stated.
"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.”
With the Warriors searching for a bona fide third star to pair with Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry, Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan appear to be the most logical assets to acquire in a trade centered around Kuminga.
Don't get it twisted, Ellis is a solid player who’s been a tremendous three-point shooting weapon for the Kings since the start of the 2022-23 season.
However, if the Warriors are committed to finding the perfect Kuminga trade this season, Ellis shouldn’t be a featured piece.
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