With the NBA trade deadline less than three weeks away, the rumors are flying off the shelves.
As is the case with every NBA trade deadline, expect there to be some movement. The rumors are going rampant with many top players like Anthony Davis, Ja Morant, Lauri Markkanen, Zion Williamson, and Domantas Sabonis, to name a few, who could find new homes in less than a month.
However, as we’ve seen in the past, it is the role players who get traded that could help turn fringe contenders into title contenders. A player who falls under that category is Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga.
Kuminga is now trade-eligible starting today, Jan. 15. League sources believe a move out of the Bay Area is firmly on the table. Multiple teams are monitoring the situation, including the Los Angeles Lakers, who have been linked to the 23-year-old forward.
According to The Athletic’s NBA insiders, the Lakers remain interested in the former lottery pick.
"League and team sources confirmed a report that the Lakers have some interest in Kuminga, though it remains unclear if talks will unfold. The Warriors, the sources said, are aware of the intrigue and waiting to see how that situation evolves."
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that the Lakers have contacted the Warriors on a potential trade for Kuminga.
"The purple-and-gold’s known preference at this deadline is to acquire a true 3-and-D wing with size if possible to provide some point-of-attack resistance on the perimeter as well as some shooting, but it must be said the Lakers, according to sources, did call Golden State about Kuminga during the sides’ summer standoff in restricted free agency I'm told that the Lakers have likewise continued to monitor Kuminga's situation while casting a wide net to try to find help on a very limited wing market."
It is clear as day that Kuminga’s time with the Warriors is winding down, and a change of scenery is imperative. So much so that he requested a trade on Thursday morning.
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Kuminga has not seen the floor in the Warriors’ past 13 games. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was blunt in his response when asked about Kuminga and the drama with the team.
“I’m disappointed for him that things didn’t continue to go the way they did the first couple of weeks,” Kerr said.
Kuminga has a $24.3 million team option for next season. In the season, he is averaging 11.8 points per game, 2.6 assists and 6.2 rebounds.
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