The Golden State Warriors are in the most hazardous situation they’ve been in in a long time, with time running out on a season that is fading quickly and quietly.
The Warriors’ litany of troubles were fueled by the second part of last week, and the franchise’s 17-19 record and 11th position in the Western Conference should only add to the urgency.
Golden State fell to loss on Thursday after leading the Denver Nuggets by 18 points with less than seven minutes remaining in the third quarter. The next night, they just edged past the league’s worst Detroit Pistons before getting annihilated by the Washington Wizards on Sunday.
Ranking five proposed trades should the Golden State Warriors wish to move on from third-year forward Jonathan Kuminga
During a chaotic four-day period for the team, one standout narrative involved Jonathan Kuminga’s reported dissatisfaction when he didn’t play in the Nuggets’ loss during the final 18 minutes. Although the 21-year-old clarified his position after a season-high 36-minute play against the Pistons, speculation persists about Kuminga’s future with the Warriors, especially with the looming February 8 trade deadline.
Following the news about Kuminga’s apparent lack of confidence in head coach Steve Kerr, fans across the NBA began assessing the potential value of the young talent, with Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey even suggesting five feasible trade scenarios for Kuminga as the Warriors contemplate their options.
These trade proposals highlight a notable disparity between how the Warriors value Kuminga and how the rest of the league perceives him. This isn’t uncommon, but Kuminga’s case is particularly divisive as observers debate the heights he could achieve in his career.
Let’s assess the five proposed Kuminga trades from the perspective of the Golden State team, considering whether any of these deals, if presented, should be seriously considered by the franchise.
1. Jonathan Kuminga, Andrew Wiggins, Gary Payton II and a 2026 second-round pick (via Atlanta) for Pascal Siakam
The Warriors have a crucial decision ahead, with Pascal Siakam emerging as a potential target as the trade deadline approaches. While Siakam could offer a strong offensive boost alongside Stephen Curry, there are concerns. His impending free agency raises questions about the value of a short-term rental, especially if it means giving up promising players like Kuminga. Additionally, the fit between Siakam and Green in the frontcourt poses challenges, particularly with Siakam’s inconsistent three-point shooting and the potential defensive gap created by losing Wiggins, Kuminga, and Payton. Despite these issues, the urgency for a second scoring threat might push the Warriors to consider this move, even if it comes with significant risks.
2. Jonathan Kuminga and Draymond Green for Bojan Bogdanovic, Alec Burks, a 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick
This trade raises concerns, particularly in giving up Kuminga and Green, causing initial reservations about the Warriors considering such a deal. However, the inclusion of Bogdanovic as a forward offers potential lineup flexibility in Steve Kerr’s configurations, potentially slotting into the starting five.
Bogdanovic’s presence on the rebuilding Pistons surprises many, yet his return from injury has showcased solid performance, noticeably enhancing Detroit’s play despite their ongoing struggles. The 34-year-old forward maintains impressive averages of 19.5 points on 44.7% shooting from the field and a commendable 39.1% from beyond the arc. Additionally, he contributes 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. In comparison to Green’s temperament and Kuminga’s developmental stage, Bogdanovic could offer stability, though he might not surpass Green’s overall impact.
Burks, while holding a decent role with the Pistons, averages nearly 11 points in under 20 minutes per game but shoots below 38% from the field. Returning to the Warriors, he might only serve as a rotational player.
The crux of the trade lies in the 2027 first-round pick, presuming it’s an unprotected one. Considering the Pistons’ distance from competitiveness, the impact of acquiring Green and Kuminga might be limited. There’s speculation that this pick could potentially be a top 10, even top five selection, given Detroit’s current trajectory and young talent.
However, the question arises: Does adding a 2027 first-round pick align with the Warriors’ aim to maximize Stephen Curry’s window? Unless they could swiftly use it in another deal, acquiring such a distant pick might lead to fan frustration, considering its long-term nature and potential impact on immediate success.
3. Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins for Clint Capela and AJ Griffin
This trade mirrors the Cavaliers deal in terms of exchanging a veteran for a veteran and a young player for another young talent. This raises questions about the logic behind moving on from Kuminga only to acquire another young piece without a significant upgrade in return, which doesn’t seem apparent in this scenario.
Capela, in comparison to Allen, falls short, making him just marginally better than Jackson-Davis or Looney. Despite averaging a double-double in 26 minutes per game, committing to Capela’s $22.3 million salary next season, especially when Jackson-Davis is signed for $1.9 million, could be viewed as a questionable managerial decision.
One slightly positive aspect compared to the Cavaliers deal is that it involves Wiggins leaving instead of Green. Despite the controversies surrounding the 33-year-old this season, his on-court performance has been noteworthy, especially when contrasted with Wiggins. Green’s impact and importance to the team surpass Wiggins’, even amid the suspensions.
However, the trade-off of moving Wiggins and Kuminga poses a significant problem for the Warriors’ point-of-attack defense. This would likely increase reliance on Gary Payton II, which might not be advisable considering his recent injury history.
Regarding Okoro’s potential role with the Warriors and his contract situation, opting for a higher potential prospect like Griffin might be more beneficial. Despite Griffin’s issues this season and time away for personal reasons, his rookie season showed promise with impressive averages of 8.9 points and 2.1 rebounds, shooting 46.5% from the field and 39% from three.
Ultimately, this trade doesn’t bring the Warriors any closer to acquiring the impactful player they need, especially when parting ways with someone as talented as Kuminga.
4. Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green and a 2026 second-round pick (via Atlanta) for Jarrett Allen and Isaac Okoro
Sure, here’s a rephrased version:
This ranks as the second-worst deal for Golden State. It’s hard to imagine the team parting ways with Green unless they believe his repeated misbehavior has irreparably damaged the squad.
Should they choose to move on from the former Defensive Player of the Year, the return from the Cavaliers seems inadequate. Kuminga’s talent far exceeds Okoro’s, especially considering Okoro is in the final year of his rookie contract, potentially requiring Golden State to renegotiate if they wish to retain him.
Transitioning from Green to Allen feels like a lateral move—reasonable but not a game-changing one. Allen’s recent performances, notably seven consecutive double-doubles, including a standout 29-point, 16-rebound display against the Spurs, demonstrate his prowess in Evan Mobley’s absence.
While Allen could enhance the center position, the Warrior system historically doesn’t heavily emphasize big men. Comparatively, how much more valuable would he be than Jackson-Davis or Looney?
Losing Kuminga or Green would leave a significant gap at power forward for Golden State. Would Saric step in, or might Wiggins transition to a permanent starting four? The absence of Kuminga or Green raises more questions for Steve Kerr’s already challenging lineup.
Furthermore, trading away a pick makes this an unfavorable deal for the Warriors, despite Allen’s recent impressive stats. The tantalizing numbers fail to compensate for a franchise that has long lacked a center capable of such production.
5. Jonathan Kuminga and Gary Payton II for Kelly Olynyk
Kelly Olynyk, a seasoned and effective NBA player, has contributed significantly to various teams with his versatile offensive abilities, boasting nearly a 37% three-point shooting record throughout his career as a 6’11” big man.
Amidst the Utah Jazz’s rebuilding phase, Olynyk stands out as a potentially available veteran who could aid playoff-contending teams. The 32-year-old Canadian would understandably draw interest from such teams.
However, would the Warriors entertain this trade? Absolutely not, or they shouldn’t. There’s a valid argument that both Kuminga and Payton might currently outshine Olynyk, not to mention the immense potential Kuminga holds for the future.
Thus, surrendering both young talents for Olynyk would seem like a serious misstep in management. Moreover, Olynyk’s skill set somewhat overlaps with that of the current Warriors big man, Dario Saric, leaving little space for both to feature off the bench.
The Warriors are in need of top-tier talent capable of being significant contributors, potentially as the second or third-best player on the team. This is why they might hesitate to part with Kuminga, who holds that promise for the future. Bringing in Olynyk would only compound Steve Kerr’s challenges in determining rotations and lineups.
Leave a Reply