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After not playing on Dec. 7 due to a coach’s decision, the Jonathan Kuminga trade watch is back at the forefront of the discussion for the Golden State Warriors.
Per NBA insider Marc Stein, the Warriors are “increasingly expected” to move the 23-year-old when he becomes eligible to be traded on Jan. 15.
Stein cited the Chicago Bulls as a team that has “registered interest” in Kuminga in the past, so they could be worth keeping an eye on.
The Athletic’s Sam Amick noted the New Orleans Pelicans are going to be “front and center” in any Kuminga trade talks, but the Bulls and Sacramento Kings could get involved.
Amick’s reasoning for the Pelicans to be involved, despite their 4-22 record, is because the Warriors “have been open” about their infatuation with Trey Murphy III.
If the Warriors going to have any realistic shot at acquiring Murphy, it will likely depend on how much the Pelicans value Kuminga because they don’t really a lot of other contracts to move.
Beyond Kuminga’s $22.5 million salary this season, Moses Moody is the only other of the Warriors’ non-star players making at least $10 million ($11.6 million). Moody is also for two years beyond the 2025-26 season.
After Kuminga didn’t play in Golden State’s win over the Bulls on Dec. 7, head coach Steve Kerr told reporters that he liked the look of their rotation in that matchup with Jimmy Butler returning to the starting lineup:
“Just because of the way our team looks. And Jimmy came back tonight, JK started last night, they play the same position. I like the group the last couple of nights, the bench group. Gui (Santos), Pat (Spencer), (De’Anthony Melton) in Philly. We got a lot of bodies. And so with Jimmy (Butler) coming back tonight, it made sense to play the other guys ’cause they complement him really well.”
Kuminga missed seven games last month due to a knee injury. He has really struggled in his last eight appearances, averaging 6.9 points on 31.9 percent shooting and 5.4 rebounds per game. He has as many turnovers as assists (17) during that span.
The Warriors and Kuminga had a prolonged contract standoff in the offseason when he was a restricted free agent. It was resolved when he signed a two-year, $48.5 million deal that contains a team option for the second season.
Since Kuminga signed the deal so late, he doesn’t become trade eligible until three weeks before the Feb. 5 deadline. His recent performance isn’t going to boost his value, but his age and upside might be enough to convince a team they can maximize his skill set.
Golden State (13-12) is still trying to build positive momentum with several key players in and out of the lineup due to injuries. Stephen Curry is expected to return on Friday after a five game absence due to a thigh contusion.