With Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas accepting his qualifying offer, there is widespread speculation that the Golden State Warriors could meet a similar fate with their restricted free agent, Jonathan Kuminga.
If Kuminga takes the drastic route, the Warriors will essentially be unable to move him, as the Congolese forward will have a no-trade clause on his expiring deal. As such, the Warriors may need to find him a new home before the start of the 2025-26 season, or else risk losing him for nothing as a free agent next offseason.
Fadeaway World proposed a bold three-team trade pitch that would end the Kuminga saga once and for all, while also helping two other teams improve their rosters.
Warriors would receive: Jaime Jaquez Jr., Rui Hachimura, 2029 first-round pick
Lakers would receive: Andrew Wiggins
Heat would receive: Jonathan Kuminga
A Win-Win-Win Trade?
At the start of free agency, it was widely reported that the Heat had interest in acquiring Kuminga, as the franchise sees a lot of potential in the 22-year-old forward. However, the franchise did not have the salary cap space to prepare an offer sheet for Kuminga.
Elsewhere, the Lakers have been strongly linked to Andrew Wiggins on several occasions. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Lakers “would have interest” in Wiggins if the Heat makes him available, as they view him as the ideal two-way wing who can play elite defense and also knock down timely shots.
And finally, the Warriors may not find a better package for Kuminga than the one mentioned above. Jaime Jacquez Jr., who was in the running for Rookie of the Year in the 2023-24 season, has a lot of room to grow and could be a nice fit in Golden State, and Hachimura will be bring veteran smarts and playoff experience. The first-round pick (via the Heat) wouldn’t hurt them, either.
Jaquez, a Good Fit in Golden State?
Fadeaway World explained why Jacquez, a wing with size and upside, could blossom into a starting-level small forward for the Warriors in the long run.
“Jaquez Jr. possesses an impressive offensive skill set, presenting the possibility of becoming a three-level scorer. While his athleticism isn’t outstanding, he prioritizes footwork and elite shot-making ability to contribute.
“A deal like this would effectively allow the Dubs to expand their wing depth while simultaneously building their roster strength. Additionally, with the Kuminga situation dealt with, the Warriors would be able to complete their pending signings, asserting their status as competitors again.”
Jacquez saw his numbers dip considerably in last season, but some attribute that to injuries and a sophomore slump. The 24-year-old has vowed to bounce back stronger than ever in the 2025-26 season.
“Just kind of leaning into my strengths, as well as working on things that I need to work on, like shooting and defense,” he told the Miami Herald of his offseason focus.
“And just bringing it all together as a whole, I think, is one of the biggest things for me this offseason. I’ve been doing a great job, my trainer out there is really helping me through this process, and it has been great.”
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