With less than a week left before training camp begins, the Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga haven’t agreed on a contract. The Sacramento Kings were one of the teams interested in Kuminga. However, the Warriors are reportedly eyeing high-prized asset from the Kings.
According to Jason Timpf of The Volume, the Warriors want Keegan Murray in a potential sign-and-trade involving Kuminga. Timpf argued that Sacramento won’t be interested in a deal like that because Murray is simply a better player. He added that Kuminga is no longer as valuable as he was two seasons ago.
“I’ve heard the Warriors want Keegan Murray in the deal. Why would the Kings do that? Keegan’s a much better player than Jonathan Kuminga. That’s a different class of asset that you would be bringing back in a deal like that. Your chance to turn Jonathan Kuminga into real asset return was two years ago when he was still on his rookie contract with multiple years remaining with more of an unknown regarding his upside,” Timpf said on his “Hoops Tonight” podcast on September 23.
Timpf also urged the Warriors to accept the proposed Malik Monk plus a future first-round pick for Kuminga.
Sam Amick of The Athletic reported on September 16 that one reason why Golden State doesn’t want Monk in a trade is due to his contract. Monk has a contract through the 2027-28 season, which is less than ideal to their goal of having cap space during the summer of 2027.
Kings Made Keegan Murray Untouchable in Negotiations with Warriors
The Golden State Warriors’ interest in Keegan Murray wasn’t new. The Warriors wanted Murray or Keon Ellis during an earlier negotiation with the Sacramento Kings back in July. However, the Kings reportedly made both players untouchable, as per Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee.
Murray is coming off a down season for the Kings, averaging just 12.4 points per game. This could be attributed to Sacramento changing coaches early in the season, replacing Mike Brown with Doug Christie.
On the other hand, Jonathan Kuminga was plagued with an ankle injury last season. He still managed to put up 15.3 points per game. Jimmy Butler‘s arrival at the trade deadline diminished Kuminga’s role under coach Steve Kerr for the rest of the regular season.
Warriors Could Open Camp with Depleted Roster
The Golden State Warriors are set to start their training camp on September 30. Jonathan Kuminga has until October 1 to accept the $8 million qualifying offer, so the Warriors might open camp with a depleted roster, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
Regardless of what Kuminga decides to do, whether accept the qualifying offer or the reported three-year, $75 million extension, the Warriors’ are expected to sign a bunch of veterans. Al Horford will be signed via the taxpayer mid-level exception. Seth Curry, Gary Payton II and De’Anthony Melton are all going to receive the veteran’s minimum.
The other two open roster spots will be filled by Kuminga and second-round pick Will Richard. Golden State open the preseason on October 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Chase Center.
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