The Sacramento Kings are renewing their pursuit of Golden State Warriors‘ restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, hoping to secure the versatile forward ahead of Monday’s media day, but the Warriors remain steadfast in their contract stance, leaving the trade in limbo.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that Golden State has had no discussions about moving Kuminga’s Oct. 1 deadline, underscoring that Sacramento’s window to complete a sign-and-trade is rapidly closing.
Kings Upgrade Trade Proposal
Getty Malik Monk of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
Sacramento’s current proposal includes veteran guard Malik Monk and a lottery-protected 2030 first-round pick, paired to offer Kuminga a three-year, $63 million deal, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. Earlier proposals involved Devin Carter, Dario Šarić, and two second-round picks before the Kings upgraded to Monk and the protected first-rounder, signaling the team’s intent to add a high-impact piece to its roster.
Kuminga’s camp has expressed strong interest in Sacramento, citing the opportunity for a starting role and consistent minutes. After a Zoom meeting with Kings general manager Scott Perry, assistant GM BJ Armstrong, and assistant coach Doug Christie, Kuminga reportedly concluded that the Kings are the best fit for his development and playing style.
“He wants to go [to Sacramento],” Andscape’s Marc J. Spears reported in August. “The Kings are offering a starting spot, as the power forward, next to Keegan Murray and [Domantas] Sabonis.”
Why Warriors Are Reluctant
Fischer reported that the Warriors’ reluctance to absorb Monk’s contract is a key reason Golden State is uninterested in Sacramento’s offer. Monk’s $21.5 million player option for the 2027-28 season conflicts with the Warriors’ plan to maintain financial flexibility beyond the 2026-27 season, when multiple key players’ contracts—including Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green—are set to expire.
“As much as Golden State hopes to compete for championships over the next two seasons with Curry, Green, and Butler all on the same timeline, it is also laser-focused on having financial flexibility after the 2026-27 season,” Fischer wrote in The Stein Line newsletter. “Mark that flexibility quest as a key reason why the Warriors are unwilling to make Year 3 a player option in their three-year offers to Kuminga, and why they are hesitant to take on Monk’s contract.”
Getty Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors is guarded by Keegan Murray of the Sacramento Kings.
The Warriors have presented Kuminga with a two-year, $45 million deal and a three-year, $75.2 million package with $48 million guaranteed in the first two seasons. Both agreements include a team option in the final year. Kuminga’s camp has pushed to convert the team option into a player option, but the Warriors have held firm, Fischer reported.
Timing Adds Pressure
The looming media day on Monday, Sept. 29, adds urgency to the negotiations. Both teams are racing to resolve the standoff before the Warriors’ roster is officially unveiled, and Sacramento hopes a finalized deal can position them to integrate Kuminga into their lineup seamlessly.
For Sacramento, landing Kuminga could add to their revamped core that has yet to make a significant playoff impact, providing a player ready to step into a starting role immediately. Golden State, meanwhile, seeks to preserve its financial flexibility and championship window with its core trio.
With only days before media day and the Warriors’ roster still unresolved, the outcome of the Kuminga negotiations could reverberate throughout the Western Conference and set the tone for both teams’ seasons.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Trade Drama Heats Up For Kings’ Sabonis-Murray Frontcourt Partner appeared first on Heavy Sports.