The Golden State Warriors are holding firm on a two-year, $45 million offer to restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, with the possibility of moving him in a midseason trade.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that the Warriors have a potential trade target in mind: Trey Murphy III â a versatile swingman currently with another team â though the franchise has yet to get traction.
âSources say that the Warriors have a strong affinity for Murphy and have made outreach to New Orleans as recently as this summer,” Fischer wrote on âThe Stein Lineâ newsletter on Aug. 22. “Yet sources say that the Pelicans, to be clear, have batted away calls for the 25-year-old, valuing him highly. The two-way forward will be playing on a contract in 2025-26 â at precisely $25 million â as desirable as his talent.
Getty Trey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts to making a basket in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors.
Fischer added that the Warriors considered the 6-foot-8 Murphy in the 2021 draft, but they ultimately selected Moses Moody instead, who has developed into a reliable rotation player but not a star-level contributor. Fischer also noted that Murphyâs length, defensive skill set and three-point shooting would fit seamlessly alongside Golden Stateâs core of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.
Kuminga Camp Isn’t Budging
While the Warriors wait to see if the Pelicans will reconsider, resolving Kumingaâs situation remains the more pressing challenge. Fischer reported that Kuminga and his agent, Aaron Turner of Verus Management, have been firm in their stance.
âNo Warriors offer to date has come close to the four years and roughly $90 million that Phoenix had been prepared to furnish him, including a player option in Year 4, via sign-and-trade,â Fischer wrote.
Kuminga would be open to the Warriorsâ offer if it included a player option rather than a team option. However, the 22-year-old forward is hesitant to sign under current terms, believing Golden State intends to trade him before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Potential No-Trade Scenario Looms
If Kuminga declines the deal and opts for his $7.9 million qualifying offer, he would gain full control of his future. That would complicate matters for the Warriors, who could lose flexibility and find it difficult to secure a meaningful trade return, given the playerâs no-trade clause and lower salary.
Getty Jimmy Butler III, Draymond Green and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors huddle during a game.
The Warriorsâ interest in the elusive Murphy is not just about talent â itâs a strategic move to complement their championship window around Curry, Butler, and Green. The team has long sought a versatile perimeter player who can stretch defenses with 3-point shooting, guard multiple positions, and create spacing for Golden Stateâs ball-dominant stars.
Fischer highlighted the synergy potential: âYou could certainly understand why the Warriors would want Murphy. It’s not hard to picture his length, defensive prowess and 3-point shooting meshing nicely alongside Curry, Butler and Draymond Green.”
What’s Next?
The Kuminga standoff underscores the delicate balance the Warriors face in managing a young, talented roster while navigating the NBAâs trade and free-agent rules. The next month will be crucial in determining whether Golden State can execute a midseason trade that strengthens its title aspirations or whether Kuminga takes control of his own future and reshapes the teamâs plans.
Kuminga has until Oct. 1 to decide on his qualifying offer.
As both sides remain entrenched, the coming weeks promise drama that could have lasting implications for the Warriorsâ championship window and the trajectories of both Kuminga and the mysterious swingman they covet.
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