The Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings have been trying to hash out a deal that lands Jonathan Kuminga in the state’s capital.
But that hasn’t been working out well, and now we have more insight about why.
According to Kings Lead, a major gap preventing the Kuminga trade is the protection of a first-round draft pick.
“If the Kings want this deal to go through sooner than later, the pick most likely has to be unprotected, or with minimal reductions,” Kings Lead wrote on X.
The major gap stopping the Kuminga trade from going through is the protection on the 1st round pick, per @sam_amick.
If the Kings want this deal to go through sooner than later, the pick most likely has to be unprotected, or with minimal reductions. pic.twitter.com/ro23O6vkTw
— Kings Lead (@KingsLeadSM) August 3, 2025
Can the Kings get this deal done?
That seems less and less likely because they haven’t been able to achieve their goals yet, so there is little optimism that they will as the offseason goes on.
It sounds like the Warriors are ready to move on from Kuminga.
He’s a promising player but has yet to carve out a reliable spot for himself in the lineup over the last few years.
Additionally, he recently stated that he wants to play for a team that will use him often, because he is tired of being a second-unit star and believes he can do better and deserves more.
But the Warriors won’t part ways with him unless they get a deal they are wild about.
With that being said, Golden State hasn’t made any moves this summer because the Kuminga situation has tied everything up.
If they want Al Horford and others, they will have to make a decision soon.
How much do the Kings want Kuminga, and what are they willing to put on the table?
Are they prepared to go all-in on him?
NEXT: Details Emerge About Suns' Offer To Jonathan Kuminga