The list of teams connected to Jonathan Kuminga has felt familiar for months for the Golden State Warriors.
The Sacramento Kings. The Phoenix Suns. The Chicago Bulls.
But according to new reporting, there may be another team quietly positioning itself in the background. And given where things currently stand in Golden State, the timing is notable.
Kuminga’s Situation in Golden State Is Reaching a Crossroads
GettyJonathan Kuminga expects to be traded from the Golden State Warriors before the deadline, and new trade suitors have emerged for the forward.
Kuminga’s role with the Warriors has continued to trend in a difficult direction.
He has fallen out of the regular rotation, picked up multiple DNPs, and no longer appears to be a consistent part of head coach Steve Kerr’s nightly plans.
At this point, it feels increasingly likely that the Warriors will explore trade options once Kuminga becomes eligible on January 15.
A change of scenery would benefit both sides. Kuminga is still just 23, and Golden State appears ready to prioritize lineup stability and immediate contributors around Stephen Curry.
Pelicans Linked to Kuminga in New Report
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated added a new wrinkle this week, reporting that league executives believe the New Orleans Pelicans could be in play for a Kuminga trade.
Mannix noted that New Orleans, a team in a transitional phase, could view Kuminga as a long-term upside play alongside rookie standout Derik Queen. More importantly for Golden State, Mannix pointed out that the Pelicans have wings who would “pique the Warriors’ interest,” specifically naming Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones.
Why New Orleans Makes Sense for the Warriors
GettyTrey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans celebrates a second half basket with Herbert Jones.
The Warriors are not looking to trade Kuminga for picks alone.
They remain committed to competing during Curry’s remaining prime years, which means any deal is likely to focus on players who can contribute immediately, particularly on the wing. New Orleans happens to have multiple players who fit that description.
Murphy offers size, shooting, and scoring versatility. Jones brings elite perimeter defense and lineup flexibility. Either would address clear needs for a Warriors team that has struggled to consistently contain opposing wings while also ranking near the bottom third of the league offensively.
A Realistic Trey Murphy Trade Framework
If the Pelicans are truly open to discussing Murphy, the Warriors would need to present a significant offer.
Murphy is 25 years old, under contract long term, and viewed around the league as a core-caliber wing. Matching salary would require Golden State to include an additional contract alongside Kuminga, with Brandin Podziemski standing out as a logical value piece.
A potential framework, based on an idea floated by Peter O’Keefe of Blue Man Hoop, could look like this:
Warriors receive:
Trey Murphy III
Pelicans receive:
Jonathan Kuminga
Brandin Podziemski
2026 first-round pick
2028 first-round pick
2030 first-round pick (top-20 protected)
The Pelicans have other players the Warriors could explore, including Herb Jones, Jose Alvarado, and Saddiq Bey, but this version keeps the deal clean without forcing either team to shuffle three or four rotation players.
New Orleans could push for additional draft capital, potentially including Golden State’s 2032 first-round pick. That said, giving up four first-rounders and two young prospects is typically reserved for top-tier superstars such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, not high-level role wings.
How the Deal Works for Both Sides
From the Pelicans’ perspective, the appeal is long-term flexibility.
Podziemski and Jeremiah Fears could form an intriguing young backcourt, while Kuminga would give New Orleans a season and a half to evaluate his upside outside of Golden State’s system, assuming his 2026–27 team option is exercised. The draft capital also carries value given the Warriors’ aging core and their current position hovering just above .500.
For Golden State, the logic is more immediate.
They would be turning two current bench players and future draft capital into an explosive 25-year-old wing who can score from all three levels. Murphy would instantly boost an offense that currently ranks near the bottom third of the league and provide a potential future All-Star who could bridge the gap into the post-Curry era.
If New Orleans is genuinely open to moving Murphy, and the Warriors are willing to be aggressive, this is the type of deal that could realistically satisfy both sides.
Why This Report Matters Now for the Warriors
This report does not mean a trade is imminent.
But it does reinforce the growing sense around the league that Kuminga’s time in Golden State is nearing its end. With January 15 approaching and his role continuing to shrink, the Warriors will soon have both clarity and flexibility.
If the Pelicans truly enter the picture, it expands the market and gives Golden State leverage as it prepares for the next phase of the season.
For now, it is another name on the board.
Given the circumstances, it may be one of the most important ones yet.
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