Norman Powell, Miami Heat
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Norman Powell, Miami Heat
With under two weeks until the Feb. 5 trade deadline, the Golden State Warriors are expected to find a suitable resolution to Jonathan Kuminga’s long-term future.
The explosive forward hasn’t played for Steve Kerr’s team since December 18, when he suited up for 9 minutes in a 99-98 loss to the Phoenix Suns. Since then, Kumingah has been glued to the bench.
With that in mind, Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report has proposed a trade that would land Kuminga with the Miami Heat, while significantly improving the Warriors’ wing rotation.
The proposed trade looks like this:
Golden State Warriors Get: Norman Powell
Miami Heat Get: Jonathan Kuminga, 2026 first-round pick
“If Miami is nonetheless squeamish about committing big money, the Warriors’ track record suggests they won’t be. Already fielding a roster loaded with players on the wrong side of 30 (and 35 for that matter), the Dubs could rightly see Powell as an excellent rental or someone worth keeping around,” Hughes reasoned. “They extended Jimmy Butler shortly after landing him a year ago, so there’s a precedent here.”
Golden State’s front office has consistently stated that the current aim is to build a contending roster around Stephen Curry. Powell fits that timeline and would be a major addition to an already talented, but aging, roster.
Kuminga Has Demanded A Trade From Warriors
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Kuminga has demanded a trade away from the Warriors.
“On the first day he became eligible to be moved, fifth-year forward Jonathan Kuminga demanded a trade away from the Golden State Warriors, league sources told ESPN,” Charania wrote. “Kuminga could not be traded until Thursday, according to the terms of the contract he signed this summer. The trade deadline is Feb. 5. Kuminga’s roller-coaster tenure with the Warriors is perhaps at its lowest point.”
Kuminga joined the Warriors as the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft. However, he’s struggled to convince Kerr to give him a consistent role in the team’s rotation, which has led the situation to devolve into what we currently see unfolding.
Warriors Aware Of Lakers’ Interest In Kuminga
Kuminga has the potential to develop into an All-Star-level talent. However, he needs the opportunity to play through his mistakes and develop on the fly. As such, multiple teams around the league have been noted to hold interest in a potential trade.
Interestingly, the Los Angeles Lakers have now been cited as an interested party. According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Golden State’s front office is aware of Los Angeles’ interest.
“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,” Amick reported on Jan. 15.
Any deal for Kuminga will need to make sense for the Warriors. That means a ready-made difference-maker heading to the Bay Area as part of the deal. Golden State will have no interest in future prospects.
If trading Kuminga can help round out the rotation and lead to a championship push, then it makes sense to explore his market and finally put the saga to bed.