The Sacramento Kings have given the Golden State Warriors a new offer to consider in sign-and-trade talks for Jonathan Kuminga, but they still haven’t been able to reach an agreement.
The Kings initially proposed a deal that would send Devin Carter, Dario Saric and a pair of second-round picks to Golden State. The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported the Kings have since offered to include Malik Monk and a protected first-round pick, but the Warriors are insisting on an unprotected pick.
There might be room for negotiation around pick protections, but that isn’t the only obstacle to a deal involving Monk. Golden State would also have to find a way to make the money work.
In the first days of this monthlong saga, sources told The Sacramento Bee the Warriors were not in a position to take on Monk’s salary given their salary cap situation. Now that Monk has come up in trade talks for Kuminga, The Athletic notes that the Warriors would have to shed additional salary to stay under the first apron, likely meaning they would have to trade Moses Moody or Buddy Hield.
At this point, that seems unlikely. Brett Siegel of Clutch Points reported the Warriors – unsatisfied with offers from the Kings and Phoenix Suns — are shutting down sign-and-trade talks for Kuminga.
ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported that Kuminga has declined a two-year, $45 million offer from Golden State, largely because the Warriors are insisting on a team option in the second year.
Sources told The Athletic the Kings offered Kuminga a three-year, $63 million deal as part of a proposal that would send Monk and a lottery protected 2030 first-round pick to Golden State. If that pick does not convey, it would become the least favorable of the 2031 first-round picks from Sacramento or San Antonio.
Kuminga likes the opportunity the Kings are presenting and is willing to come to Sacramento after meeting with general manager Scott Perry, assistant general manager B.J. Armstrong and coach Doug Christie. The Kings want Kuminga to start at power forward, which would allow Murray to move back to small forward, although that would require trading DeMar DeRozan or moving him into a backup role.
Kuminga took to social media recently to say, “I’ll bet on myself all day,” which might signal a willingness to accept Golden State’s $7.5 million qualifying offer in order to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He could also take the two-year deal the Warriors offered him with the expectation that both sides will continue to look for an amicable trade.
Kuminga, 22, is a 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward who was selected by the Warriors with the No. 7 pick in the 2021 NBA draft. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.8 steals in 47 games last season while shooting 45.4% from the field, 30.5% from 3-point range and 66.8% at the free-throw line.