Warriors’ complications with Jonathan Kuminga-Malik Monk Kings trade

The NBA offseason is basically over despite restricted free agency situations, like Jonathan Kuminga's, remaining unsolved.

With players and team personnel taking much-needed vacations with family and friends in August, everyone will turn their attention to training camp and preparing for the preseason after Labor Day at the start of September. For Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors, the focus remains on finding a resolution to his restricted free-agency standoff.

Before free agency began, the goal from both parties seemed simple: find another team in a sign-and-trade.

Although the Warriors, especially owner Joe Lacob, have remained high on Kuminga's development and potential, it has become clear over the last year that the 22-year-old is ready to move on.

Between his inconsistent minutes and reports of the 22-year-old ‘losing faith' in Steve Kerr and then not even seeing the court late in the 2024-25 season, all roads this offseason led to Kuminga and the Warriors parting ways.

It also didn't help that the two sides were very far apart in contract extension negotiations before the 2024-25 season.

While Kuminga would likely remain with the Warriors for the time being if he were to receive an offer in the $30 million per year range, that has not been presented to him. Kuminga and his camp's main goal entering the offseason was to secure financial security for the coming years.

That goal quickly changed given the hardships faced from the Warriors, as Kuminga doesn't appear to have any desire to return and again see an inconsistent role that stunts his overall development.

As good as he could be in this league, Kuminga will never be at the forefront of the Dubs' plans as long as Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green are present. As a result, Kuminga and his camp have spoken at length with several teams around the league about a sign-and-trade.

The Sacramento Kings have loomed large as the former seventh pick's top suitor.

Breaking down Kings' offer for Jonathan Kuminga

What was expected to be a vast market for Kuminga this offseason ultimately never took shape.

The Miami Heat, a rumored suitor for Kuminga entering the summer, never truly pursued him. Much of the same could be said about the Chicago Bulls, given their situation with Josh Giddey being a restricted free agent.

Although the Warriors and Bulls spoke briefly at the start of free agency about Kuminga, it became clear that Chicago was focused on solving Giddey's contract situation and keeping him before turning their attention to anything else.

At no point did the two sides discuss a Kuminga-Giddey swap, nor are the Warriors actively pursuing the Australian guard.

Another team that has expressed interest in Kuminga via a sign-and-trade is the Phoenix Suns. But one of the factors in a potential sign-and-trade from Golden State's perspective is that they don't want long-term salary, and that's all the Suns have to offer with Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale.

It is also worth mentioning that the Milwaukee Bucks were another team that kicked around the idea of pursuing Kuminga. If they were to do so, the Warriors made it known they would want Bobby Portis in a sign-and-trade scenario, which is something Milwaukee wasn't willing to do.

The Dubs have held interest in Portis dating back to before the 2024 NBA trade deadline.

And so that leaves the Kings as the sole destination for Kuminga if a sign-and-trade were to develop at this point in the offseason. Still, the Warriors have shown great hesitation in these trade negotiations, as they are taking full advantage of the fact that Kuminga is a restricted free agent.

If the trade isn't to their liking, Golden State won't make a deal. That is where things stand with the Kings after their latest offer.

Sacramento believes in Kuminga's potential and value, which is why they are willing to commit to a three-year, $63 million contract for him. Obviously, this would need to be a sign-and-trade, as the Kings are about $7 million from their first apron hard cap.

After originally offering Dario Saric, Devin Carter, and a protected first-round pick, the Kings shifted their offer to Malik Monk and a 2030 first-round pick with protections, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.

That is the offer that stands now — Monk and a protected first-round pick for Kuminga.

Even if the Warriors get what they want in terms of an unprotected first-round pick, is this enough for Golden State to finalize a trade? Their fans may think so given Monk's scoring abilities coming off the bench, but there is more that goes into this potential sign-and-trade than a one-for-one transaction.