Jonathan Kuminga has quickly become one of the hottest names on the NBA offseason trade market, and it’s no surprise. As a young, explosive forward with a blend of athleticism, defensive upside, and improving offensive skill, Kuminga fits the mold of a modern NBA wing—versatile, switchable, and capable of finishing plays in transition and isolation. Selected seventh overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 2021 NBA Draft, Kuminga has shown flashes of star-level talent across his short tenure in the league. Now, he stands at the center of one of the offseason’s most intriguing storylines, as both the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings have reportedly made concrete trade offers to acquire him.
The tension between Kuminga and the Warriors has grown over time. Entering restricted free agency this summer, Kuminga has made it clear through his camp that he is in no rush to re-sign with Golden State, rejecting their current contract offers and exploring opportunities for a bigger role and a more favorable financial deal. The Warriors, meanwhile, are trying to remain competitive while also managing salary cap pressures, veteran commitments, and a changing roster core. The combination of Kuminga’s contract demands, his desire for an expanded role, and the Warriors’ roster situation has created a perfect storm of uncertainty.
Into this scenario step two aggressive Western Conference rivals: the Suns and the Kings. Both teams have made concrete sign-and-trade offers for Kuminga, seeking to capitalize on the stalemate between player and team. For Phoenix, acquiring Kuminga would add much-needed youth, length, and energy to a roster headlined by veteran stars like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. For Sacramento, Kuminga fits with their core timeline, joining De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis in a fast-paced, high-scoring system that needs additional wing defense and athleticism.
According to reports from league insiders, the Kings’ offer has been the most substantial so far. It reportedly includes second-year guard Devin Carter, a promising rookie with upside, veteran forward Dario Šarić, and two future second-round picks. While it falls short of the Warriors’ desired return of a first-round pick and a blue-chip young player, it at least checks some boxes. The offer gives Golden State a solid prospect in Carter, some frontcourt depth in Šarić, and draft assets, albeit not of the premium variety.
The Suns’ offer has been far less appealing to the Warriors. Phoenix, limited in draft capital and young tradeable assets due to previous deals, reportedly centered their proposal around Grayson Allen. Though Allen is coming off a strong shooting season and has playoff experience, the Warriors view his contract and timeline as misaligned with their current goals. Allen is a solid rotation piece, but not the kind of young upside talent Golden State wants if they’re parting ways with a 22-year-old lottery pick.
Kuminga’s camp is reportedly looking for a deal in the range of \$25–30 million per season over several years—an amount that speaks to his self-belief and market potential. While that figure may appear high given his current résumé, it reflects the league’s upward salary trends and the premium placed on dynamic, switchable forwards. The challenge for any team seeking to land Kuminga is twofold: not only must they meet his salary expectations, but they must also send Golden State enough value to justify the sign-and-trade. That is where both Phoenix and Sacramento have so far fallen short.
Golden State has remained patient, resisting the temptation to accept a subpar offer simply to resolve the situation. With cap space tight across the league and most teams already set with their core rosters, the Warriors have the leverage of time. However, they also face a different type of pressure: if the situation drags on too long, it may begin to affect their ability to make other moves. The Warriors are reportedly interested in bringing in veteran free agents like Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton, but cannot move forward on those deals until Kuminga’s status is resolved. That’s left their offseason in a kind of holding pattern.
Another factor complicating the situation is the structure of restricted free agency. Because Kuminga is a restricted free agent, Golden State retains the right to match any offer sheet he signs. But he hasn’t signed one—and few teams have the cap space to make one, anyway. If a sign-and-trade can’t be arranged, Kuminga’s only options are to re-sign with the Warriors under their terms or accept his \$7.9 million qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent in 2026. That would give him the freedom to choose his next team, but it would also come with risk. A down year, injury, or reduced role in Golden State could significantly hurt his value.
There are only a few teams left with cap space or the financial creativity to execute a trade for Kuminga, and most of them are rebuilding squads that may not appeal to him. That’s why the Suns and Kings remain so important in this equation—they are win-now teams with competitive cores and a need for someone like Kuminga. But neither team has thus far offered enough to sway the Warriors.
The Kings likely have more flexibility to improve their offer. They still control most of their future draft picks and have young players like Keegan Murray or Davion Mitchell who could be included in a package. However, giving up too much for Kuminga could backfire if he doesn’t develop into a star or doesn’t fit well with their system. The Kings are also cautious about taking on big salaries as they try to keep flexibility for future roster moves.
Phoenix, on the other hand, is much more limited in what they can offer. Their big three of Durant, Booker, and Beal already eat up most of their salary cap. Their remaining role players either aren’t valuable enough to entice the Warriors or are not expendable. And with very few future draft picks under their control, they lack the kind of assets that traditionally help close these kinds of deals. Unless a third team gets involved to expand the trade, it’s hard to see a Suns-Warriors deal happening under current conditions.
There’s also the possibility that the Warriors simply keep Kuminga and hope the relationship can be salvaged. If they can convince him to accept a short-term deal or a modest raise, he could return next season in a bigger role—especially with the recent departure of Klay Thompson and possible minutes opening up in the rotation. That path keeps the door open for a future trade or even a long-term partnership if Kuminga thrives.
Still, the standoff highlights the deeper question the Warriors must face: are they trying to extend their championship window with veterans like Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, or are they transitioning toward a younger core? If the answer is the latter, keeping Kuminga makes sense. If the former, they may feel pressure to flip him for more experienced players who can contribute now. But in either case, they can’t afford to lose him for nothing—or let his unresolved status hamper their offseason progress.
The clock is ticking. Training camps are approaching, and teams need clarity. The Warriors have shown they won’t be rushed, but the longer this goes on, the more it may strain their flexibility. Kuminga’s camp remains focused on finding the right situation, but options are narrowing. The Kings seem the likeliest destination if a trade materializes. They have enough to sweeten their offer without gutting their future. They’ve been in the mix for multiple players this offseason and remain eager to take the next step in a loaded Western Conference.
In contrast, the Suns’ pathway to a deal appears blocked unless they can involve another team or unload salary elsewhere. That’s not impossible, but it requires cooperation from multiple parties in a tight market. Their interest in Kuminga is genuine, but unless their front office can get creative, they may remain on the outside looking in.
For now, all eyes remain on Kuminga, his agents, and the Warriors’ front office. Each side wants a resolution—but on its own terms. The player wants money and a bigger role. The team wants value and flexibility. The suitors want talent without overpaying. Until someone compromises, the standoff continues. But in a league where deals can change overnight, one phone call could shift the entire picture. Whether that call comes from Sacramento, Phoenix, or somewhere else, Jonathan Kuminga’s next move may very well define his career—and reshape the Warriors’ future.
