Jonathan Kuminga Still on Kings’ Radar Amid Westbrook Saga

The Jonathan Kuminga trade situation has put trade moves on hold not just for the Warriors but also for teams like the Kings, Suns, and Bulls, all reportedly interested in acquiring Kuminga. Recently, the Warriors shut down all communication with other teams, signaling a change of heart regarding trading Kuminga.

Kings are also being cited as front-runners to potentially sign Kuminga should the Warriors succeed in agreeing on an extension with him. In this present scenario, teams like the Kings are placing a bet that the Warriors would eventually cave “at the buzzer” to not miss out on Kuminga without having anything to show for it.

Allen Stiles from Sactown Sports shared his insights on the situation, expressing optimism that the Kings will end up landing both Jonathan Kuminga and Russell Westbrook. He stated on his show that the Kings believe Kuminga will opt to sign a qualifying offer, prompting the Warriors to act before it’s too late. Stiles speculated, “The Golden State Warriors will say, ‘Alright, we can’t afford to lose him for nothing and Malik Monk and a protected pick, that’s better, that’s much, much better than nothing.’ So let’s go ahead, do the deal and be done with it.”

Stiles also pointed out that the Kings currently have an excess of guards, which is a key reason why their pursuit of Westbrook has stalled. By trading Malik Monk in a package for Kuminga, the Kings could create the necessary roster space for Westbrook and still ensure solid rotational minutes. “And then, now that Malik Monk is also out, you get Russell Westbrook to the Kings, and it’s a very, very interesting training camp that’s just about ready to blow up. For me, that is just basically why this Russell Westbrook situation hasn’t died down.”

Stiles mentioned that a “game of chicken” was being played figuratively, with the Warriors trying to bluff Kuminga and with the Kings matching the Warriors’ stance on letting Kuminga sign the offer. In supposition that Stiles’ point of view is true, the Kings are following their cue that they would be the single big offer for Jonathan Kuminga. Yet, the Suns and Bulls can present better deals, which would be bad news for the plans of the Kings.

For example, NBA leaders now value Josh Giddey higher than Malik Monk, and if the Warriors get pressured, they would try to make a sign-and-trade arrangement with the Thunder rather than with the Kings.

Thus, the Kings must not presume that the Warriors will eventually give in and must instead look to put together a long-term beneficial deal for Kuminga if he agrees to sign an extension with the Warriors to make a sign-and-trade arrangement possible.