The Golden State Warriors are navigating another round of lineup adjustments. Steve Kerr confirmed that Moses Moody and Will Richard will continue to start, which moves Jonathan Kuminga back to the bench. Nothing is final, but the shift has accelerated conversations around what Golden State might explore on the trade market.
The timing also overlaps with Draymond Green and his recent comments about agendas. He did not name anyone, yet the remarks added another layer to a situation already drawing attention. Kuminga’s benching has kickstarted the chatter, and one of the bigger ideas being discussed involves a potential path to Domantas Sabonis.
The possibility was explored by Blake Silverman of Sports Illustrated, who laid out how the All Star big man could become available if the Sacramento Kings shift into a rebuild. His suggestion is hypothetical, but the inclusion of Golden State reflects the scale of moves the Warriors may need to consider if they want to maximize their current window.
Why Golden State Are Being Linked to Sabonis
Alex Slitz/Getty ImagesThe Sacramento Kings could explore dealing All-Star forward Domantas Sabonis, according to a report from the Sacramento Bee.
The Sacramento Kings have started the season slowly. Their roster is built around veterans such as Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, with Keegan Murray as their long-term piece. If they continue to slide, Silverman noted that moving established contributors could become a path to resetting the franchise.
Sabonis would be the most valuable of those options. He is a three time All Star, the league’s rebounding leader for three straight seasons, and one of the best passing bigs in basketball. His offensive game unlocks movement, cutting and spacing. His presence transforms a team’s half court identity.
Silverman also pointed out the limitations. Sabonis does not protect the rim at a high level. He does not stretch the floor. He carries a significant salary and is under contract through 2028. Those factors raise the bar for any potential bidder.
Even so, elite bigs do not often become available. Golden State, who have already reshaped themselves around Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, would at least have to consider the idea if Sacramento took calls.
Silverman listed the following as a framework that might be required:
Warriors receive: Domantas Sabonis
Kings receive: Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, 2026 first round pick, 2027 first round pick swap, 2028 first round pick
The cost is enormous and would reshape Golden State’s depth. But the idea signals the type of conversation that emerges when a franchise is balancing urgency with opportunity.
Warriors: Why This Move Would Be a Massive Swing
Adding Sabonis would dramatically change how the Warriors operate. His playmaking gives Curry and Butler more off ball freedom, and he stabilizes their possession game with elite rebounding. The handoff actions he runs would also complement both shooters and cutters.
Golden State have always operated with a bias toward movement and intelligence. Sabonis fits that ethos. He also raises their offensive ceiling at a time when the team is searching for consistent structure.
The drawbacks are clear. His lack of rim protection would put greater pressure on Draymond Green. His contract limits flexibility. The trade cost removes two rotation players plus future draft assets. It is a move that accelerates everything, including expectations.
For some teams, that becomes the point.
For others, it becomes the hesitation.
Which is why the Warriors have been connected to options that fall outside the blockbuster range.
Golden State Also Linked to More Realistic 3 and D Option
While Sabonis represents the dramatic version of Golden State’s trade conversations, Tim Kawakami of The SF Standard outlined a more grounded target: Herb Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Jones has built a strong defensive resume. He earned First Team All Defense honors in 2023 to 2024 and has become one of the most reliable multipositional defenders in the league. He is hitting a career best 43.8 percent from three this season and has long fit the 3 and D label the Warriors value.
New Orleans, currently 2 and 9, could move veterans such as Jones, Zion Williamson, Jordan Poole or Dejounte Murray if they lean fully into a youth movement built around Trey Murphy III, Jeremiah Fears, Yves Missi and Derik Queen.
Kawakami noted that Jones represents the realistic range for a Kuminga return. He is not the star name, but he aligns cleanly with what the Warriors rely on to compete in the short term.
What a Potential Warriors Deal for Jones Could Look Like
GettyJonathan Kuminga #1 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after making a dunk on the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Chase Center on October 27, 2025 in San Francisco, California.
A workable framework between the Warriors and Pelicans could feature Herb Jones and Kevon Looney heading to Golden State, while Kuminga and a lottery protected 2026 first round pick move to New Orleans.
Looney would return to a familiar role and slide back into Golden State’s big man rotation with Al Horford and Trayce Jackson-Davis. His understanding of the system and comfort in Steve Kerr’s schemes would make the transition seamless.
For the Pelicans, Kuminga matches the direction of their young core. For the Warriors, Jones raises the defensive floor without requiring anything close to the cost of a Sabonis pursuit.
Where the Warriors Stand in the Bigger Picture
The Warriors find themselves discussed across a wide range of hypothetical scenarios. Sabonis represents the dramatic version of what outsiders imagine for Golden State, a move designed to push a team all in. Jones is the steadier alternative, a player who smooths out the rotation and reinforces the defense.
These possibilities reflect the different directions analysts believe the Warriors could explore as they navigate the season. Their competitive window with Curry remains open, and the conversation now centers on what type of swing best fits that timeline.
How Golden State ultimately approaches it will shape the next phase of their journey.
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