Source: Two key players off limits in Kings-Warriors Kuminga trade talks

Jason Anderson, The Sacramento Bee on Jul 30, 2025

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento Kings have not given up in their pursuit of a sign-and-trade deal for Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga.

Kuminga wants a fresh start with a new team and the Warriors have given him reason to question their commitment to him. He likes the opportunity the Kings have presented, but the Warriors seem unwilling to accept a package featuring Devin Carter, Dario Saric and draft compensation, which could a protected first-round pick or multiple second-round picks.

The Warriors would probably be quick to pull the trigger on a deal involving Keegan Murray or Keon Ellis. However, a source with knowledge of trade conversations told The Sacramento Bee that Murray and Ellis have not been discussed and both are considered off limits in talks for Kuminga.

ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported Kuminga came away with a good impression after a recent meeting with Kings representatives, including general manager Scott Perry, assistant general manager B.J. Armstrong and coach Doug Christie.

“Kuminga had contact with the Kings in the last couple of days,” Slater told ESPN 1320. “It was the first time he met Scott Perry, and this wasn’t in person, but it’s the first time he’s communicated with Scott Perry, Doug Christie and B.J. Armstrong. And from what I’ve gathered, he liked the pitch that Scott Perry gave.

“He’s open-minded to the idea of Sacramento. … I think part of that — I know part of that pitch — is you’re talking starting role, you’re talking bigger opportunity than the Warriors are necessarily offering right now. And I think that’s the part that shouldn’t get lost in this situation. Jonathan Kuminga isn’t just looking for the exact contract he wants in free agency. He’s looking for the opportunity he wants on the court.”

Kuminga was reportedly seeking an extension in the range of $30 million per year, but the market for unrestricted free agents has been bleak with few teams possessing significant salary cap space.

Kuminga could accept Golden State’s $7.5 million qualifying offer if he is willing to wait for unrestricted free agency next summer. If he wants a new deal now, he might have to settle for something closer to $20 million.

Kuminga, 22, is a 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward who was selected by the Warriors with the No. 7 pick in the 2021 NBA draft. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.8 steals in 47 games last season while shooting 45.4% from the field, 30.5% from 3-point range and 66.8% at the free-throw line.

Kuminga missed 31 games due to an ankle injury and returned with a reduced role after the Warriors made a blockbuster trade to acquire Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. In a May appearance on Tim Kawakami’s “The TK Show,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr explained why Kuminga wasn’t playing more with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Butler.

“I’ve been asked to win,” Kerr said. “And right now, he’s not a guy who I can say I’m going to play 38 minutes with the roster we have — Steph, Jimmy and Draymond — and put the puzzle together that way and expect to win.”

The Kings are willing to take that chance, but so far they haven’t been able to find a path to a deal with the Warriors.