The Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers have been unable to reach contract extensions with their respective restricted free agents, Jonathan Kuminga and Quentin Grimes.
Could the best solution for both teams be to swap the two players? Fadeaway World proposed a direct sign-and-trade swap that would see the Warriors bolster their shooting with Grimes, and the 76ers shore up their athleticism with Kuminga.
Warriors would receive: Quentin Grimes (Sign-and-Trade)
76ers would receive: Jonathan Kuminga (Sign-and-Trade)
“It’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy that could give both teams what they want,” wrote Eddie Bitar. “Needless to say, it would certainly make some interesting news if it were to happen.”
Grimes a Better Fit on Warriors
Grimes’ ability to shoot — both off the dribble and off the catch — makes him a more viable fit on a Warriors team that doesn’t run too many PNR or ISO actions. That’s precisely why Warriors head coach Steve Kerr noted after the 2025 NBA playoffs that Kuminga wasn’t a good fit on his team, specifically in lineups featuring Jimmy Butler, who has a similar skill set.
“Grimes fills the exact 3-and-D fill slot Golden State desperately lacked after Jonathan Kuminga’s development plateaued,” wrote Bitar. “He won’t break the bank, but he’ll ensure spacing around Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, without forcing reckless iso plays.
“More than just stats, Grimes offers the attitude this culture demands. He’s the type of glue guy who buys into system basketball, track record from Houston to New York, then stepped up in Philly down the stretch, averaging nearly 22 points and solid defense in crucial games.”
Unlike Kuminga, Grimes thrives off the ball. In the 2024-25 season, he made an impressive 2.9 threes per game in 28 games for the 76ers, while averaging 21.9 points. Granted, Grimes’ exploits came on a losing Sixers team, but he showed tremendous potential, proving that he could become a star under the right circumstances.
Warriors Unable to Trade Kuminga?
On the flipside, Kuminga could be an invaluable piece for the 76ers in their rebuild next to Tyrese Maxey, V. J. Edgecombe and Jared McCain. With Joel Embiid and Paul George becoming increasingly unreliable with their health, the Sixers could be well served in acquiring Kuminga and fast-tracking their team of the future.
“Kuminga brings electricity, a highlight-reel mentality, and that’s the type of intangible that ignites fans and scares opponents.” wrote Bitar. “Pair Kuminga’s leap-the-floor attitude with Maxey’s relentless craft, and you’ve got a base nucleus with both swagger and skill.
“Philly’s blueprint needs wings who can create, defend, and grow, not just score. Kuminga checks all boxes. He’d experiment alongside Maxey’s ball-dominant offense and could push the Sixers into a dangerous young core on the rise, especially if the franchise can pivot away from Joel Embiid and Paul George next.”
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Warriors would have been interested in a potential Kuminga-Lonzo Ball sign-and-trade with the Bulls, before Ball was traded to the Cavaliers.
“I do know that Kuminga’s representation was trying to figure out some sign and trade scenario that would have gotten both Josh Giddey and Jonathan Kuminga paid in Chicago,” Fischer said on his “Insider Notebook” livestreamed on Bleacher Report on July 17. “And I think that was something that would have been more likely if the Bulls waited and had Lonzo Ball to send back to Golden State instead of the deal that they already made with Cleveland.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Warriors Sign-And-Trade Pitch Sends Jonathan Kuminga to 76ers appeared first on Heavy Sports.