In the summer of 2025, the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings found themselves at the center of one of the NBA’s most intriguing offseason sagas, revolving around restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga and the possibility of a trade package that would send him to Sacramento in exchange for veteran star Domantas Sabonis. The proposal, though never finalized, was a dramatic confrontation of contrasting visions—Golden State’s reluctance to part with Kuminga, and Sacramento’s desire to shake up their roster around Sabonis.
Jonathan Kuminga, the 7th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, has been a physically gifted, athletic forward playing for the Warriors. Across four seasons in Golden State, he has shown flashes of potential—averaging roughly 12.5 points per game with efficient shooting—and stepped up significantly during the 2024–25 season when he posted 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per contest in limited action over 47 games. Despite that, his role remained inconsistent: he was benched early in the playoffs and only returned as a scoring option when Stephen Curry was injured during the second-round series versus Minnesota, putting up multiple 20-point games in a losing effort.
By late July 2025, Kuminga had declined the Warriors’ latest contract offer—a deal in the mid-20 million-dollar annual range—and was seeking a more guaranteed role and larger responsibility, ideally as a starter on another team, with a salary closer to \$25–30 million per year. With no offer sheet emerging independently, the available avenue for relocation was a sign-and-trade. Two teams were actively interested in signing and trading for him: the Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings, with Sacramento emerging as a frontrunner in trade discussions.
The Kings’ interest in Kuminga was grounded in their desire to add youth, athleticism, and upside to complement their established core of Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and De’Aaron Fox. Sabonis, a three-time All-Star and three-time NBA rebounding leader, remains the fulcrum of Sacramento’s offense and identity. But Sacramento faced limitations around cap flexibility and trade asset valuations—and Kuminga represented a tantalizing high-risk, high-reward addition who could grow into a second or third scoring option. The Kings prepared a package centered on second-year guard Devin Carter (the 13th overall pick in 2024), veteran forward Dario Šarić, plus two future second-round picks, structured as a sign-and-trade proposal. A mock three-team framework even existed in speculation, with theoretical trades that would send Sabonis out and bring in Kuminga, Moses Moody, and future assets to Sacramento.
The Kings’ actual offer saw the Warriors rejecting it outright. Golden State viewed the proposal as a “buy-low attempt,” believing it didn’t meet their valuation threshold. They declined the package. Sources confirmed that Golden State insisted on receiving a promising young player along with a first-round pick, in addition to rejecting the inclusion of low-cost veterans and second-rounders only. The specifics: Sacramento offered Devin Carter, Dario Šarić, and two second-round draft picks. Golden State wanted more—at least a first-round pick plus a younger, high-ceiling player. The Kings weren’t willing to part with All-Rookie talent like Keegan Murray or afford to take on a large contract like Sabonis’s without paying Kuminga himself; they preferred to maintain control of core assets.
From the Warriors’ perspective, Kuminga remains a valuable asset embedded in their “two-timelines” strategy: he represents both the present ability to support Curry and Jimmy Butler, and possible future cornerstone potential once the core ages out. Ownership and management have shown reluctance to trade him, even if it means passing up opportunities to acquire Sabonis via sign-and-trade. Coach Steve Kerr himself acknowledged that while Kuminga desires a larger role—and while there is mutual respect—he can’t promise starter minutes within the existing veteran-heavy rotation of Curry, Butler, and Draymond Green.
Domantas Sabonis, by contrast, is a proven double-double machine with elite rebounding and playmaking skills. In Sacramento, he’s been the facilitator and heart of their offense, producing triple-doubles and elite metrics. A trade sending Sabonis to Golden State would have given the Warriors elite interior scoring and playmaking alongside Curry and Butler. But Sabonis also has defensive limitations, especially in isolation, and his contract is substantial. Plus, Golden State would likely have to send significant draft capital to complete such a deal.
Despite this backdrop, no formal Kings-Warriors Sabonis-for-Kuminga trade materialized—not even via a three-team trade. Speculative frameworks existed, including proposals where Sacramento would send Sabonis and other parts to Golden State while receiving Kuminga, Moses Moody, future picks, and sign-and-trade compensation. But none advanced beyond theory; Warriors management has repeatedly signaled a lack of interest in completing such a swap, especially at the proposed valuations or without first-round picks attached.
The standoff persisted through mid-summer. Kuminga continued exploring opportunities, refusing the Warriors’ contract offers and leveraging interest from the Kings and Suns to push for a sign-and-trade. But prospective suitors were hamstrung: the Suns lacked sufficient draft capital or desirable young assets that matched Golden State’s demands; the Kings’ offer didn’t satisfy Golden State either. Meanwhile, the Warriors remained anchored—they had not signed or traded for any players all offseason until the Kuminga issue was resolved, and their free agency slates were effectively frozen while this stalemate endured.
Domantas Sabonis stayed in Sacramento, poised to enter the 2025–26 season anchoring their frontcourt alongside DeRozan and LaVine. Kuminga remained in Golden State under a qualifying offer of around \$7.9 million, with until October 1 to accept. If he doesn’t sign an extension or accept it, he could play the 2025–26 season under that deal, then become an unrestricted free agent in 2026—maximizing his long-term flexibility.
In sum, the trade scenario—Warriors offering Kuminga to Sacramento for Sabonis, or a package involving Sabonis and minor additions—sizzled briefly but collapsed under competing valuations. The Kings declined to surrender their core assets or accept that Golden State insisted on first-round picks and high-ceiling youth. The Warriors refused to lower their requirements. As of late July 2025, the deal is dead in the water. Sacramento and Golden State remain far apart. Kuminga remains with the Warriors, still unsigned, unresolved, and center stage in what may be a drawn-out negotiation or eventual contract stalemate. Yet it is possible circumstances shift with time—if Sacramento gains draft capital or if Golden State softens—but as of now, the Kings declined the Warriors’ offer centered around Jonathan Kuminga, and no Sabonis-Kuminga swap will occur this offseason.
