The Golden State Warriors are stuck in the middle again. Close enough to compete, far enough from looking like themselves, searching for a move that changes more than the margins. And with Jonathan Kuminga back in the rumor cycle, the proposals around him are growing louder.
One idea gaining traction comes from Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor, who suggested a potential deal built around Kuminga for Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets. O’Connor shared the framework on X, laying out a scenario where Golden State acquires Porter Jr. while the Nets receive Kuminga, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield and future draft compensation.
It is a bold idea. It is also one of the few Warriors conversations that forces you to weigh both the immediate impact and the long-term cost.
Why Michael Porter Jr. Fits the Conversation
Porter Jr. has started the season at an All-Star level. Through the opening stretch, he is averaging 24.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists, shooting nearly 49 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from deep. For a Nets team still figuring out its identity, he has been the one constant.
What makes this season different is his usage. Porter Jr. is handling more isolations, more pick and rolls and more post touches than at any point in his career. He already has more isolations in 13 games with Brooklyn than he did across 77 games last season with the Denver Nuggets.
This expanded role has been noticed locally as well. NetsFilm highlighted how Porter Jr. ranked among the league’s top scorers during his recent hot stretch, pairing high volume with elite efficiency and showcasing a more complete scoring profile.
For the Warriors, that blend of size, shooting and off ball movement is exactly the kind of skill set that fits next to Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.
Warriors Need Shooting, Size and a Wing Who Can Score
Golden State’s roster has talent, but the gaps are real. They need another consistent scorer on the wing. They need more size without sacrificing spacing. And they need a player who can function within their movement-heavy offense.
Porter Jr. checks a lot of those boxes. He relocates well. Moves without the ball. Fits the Warriors’ style of cutting, screening and reading the floor. And playing alongside Curry and Butler would give him cleaner looks than anything he has seen in Brooklyn.
NBA writer Tom Haberstroh has also spoken highly of the fit, noting how Porter Jr.’s cutting and floor awareness make him a natural match for Golden State’s veteran core. He pointed out that playing next to Curry, Green and Butler maximizes players who understand timing, spacing and how to move into open windows.
For a Warriors team that has struggled to find reliable scoring outside of Curry, that evaluation carries weight.
What It Would Cost Golden State
The proposed framework asks Golden State to give up a lot:
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Jonathan Kuminga
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Moses Moody
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Buddy Hield
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Future first round picks
It signals a shift in priorities. It means committing to win-now pieces over long-term development. And it would require the Warriors to move on from two young players who still have room to grow, especially Kuminga.
Porter Jr. is talented, but he also comes with questions. Durability is part of it. Defensive consistency is another. And maintaining high usage on a winning team remains an open question. That is what makes the conversation complicated rather than obvious.
Should the Warriors Make This Move?
There is no easy answer.
Porter Jr. gives Golden State scoring, size and playoff-caliber shooting. His game fits their system naturally, and his presence on the wing would ease pressure on Curry and Butler. He could elevate the offense right away.
But the cost is steep. The risk is real. And Kuminga’s value around the league continues to rise.
If Brooklyn seriously entertains offers, the Warriors will have to decide whether immediate help outweighs the long-term upside of their young core. Porter Jr. solves several problems, but he does not come without complications.
For now, the conversation continues. And as the Warriors keep searching for solutions, this is one of the most intriguing ideas on the board.
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