Warriors Urged to Trade Jonathan Kuminga for Rising Star Forward
The Golden State Warriors have spent the summer in limbo. Other contenders have retooled and added firepower, while Golden State continues to wait for its big splash. The restricted free agency drama with Jonathan Kuminga has kept everything on hold.
Even if Kuminga signs, it feels all but inevitable that he and the Warriors are headed for a bitter divorce. It may not officially happen this offseason, but if he accepts the two-year, $45 million offer on the table rather than the qualifying offer, Golden State gains optionality. That would give the front office a clear cap picture heading into the season, with the goal of moving him before the trade deadline.
In a recent piece, Sports Illustrated’s Liam Willerup pointed to one name in particular as an ideal target for Golden State.
Warriors Linked to Trey Murphy III
The name at the top of Willerup’s list? Trey Murphy III from the Pelicans. He’s young, long, and doing all the things Golden State needs: defense, reliable shooting, and comfort playing off the ball. More than that, he’s emerging as a legitimate scorer, averaging 21.2 points per game on 59.8 TS% last season.
Given the Warriors’ age and injury concerns, adding a forward like Murphy—someone who can thrive with or without the ball—would be massive. He’d ease pressure off Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, while also giving Golden State a building block for the future.
Golden State Face High Asking Price
Murphy isn’t cheap. The Pelicans know what they have, and would want multiple first-round picks on top of any young talent.
That makes a deal before training camp unlikely. The more realistic path would be Kuminga signing the two-year offer he currently has on the table, giving Golden State cost certainty heading into the season. From there, the Warriors could revisit trade talks closer to the deadline, when values shift and teams start feeling pressure to make a move.
What It Means for the Warriors
Golden State is still waiting. Training camp is around the corner, rivals have added depth, and the Warriors are searching for their move.
With the Murphy deal likely off the table before training camp, it is expected the Warriors will turn to current free agents already on their radar—names like Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II, or Seth Curry—once the Kuminga situation is resolved and their cap picture clears up. If Kuminga signs his two-year, $45 million deal, the first half of the season could also serve as an audition, giving him the chance to boost his value ahead of the deadline.
That’s when the Warriors could circle back to long-term targets such as Murphy or another high-level forward who becomes available. Patience now could set up Golden State for a bigger swing later. But the margin for error is razor thin, and with Curry still at the peak of his powers, the Warriors can’t afford another wasted year.
Three Rams Named To PFF’s Team Of The Week
The Los Angeles Rams began the 2025 NFL season with a win, after beating the Houston Texans, 14-9.
A strong defensive performance by the Rams propelled the team to win in the season opener.
With questions surrounding the quarterback situation, the Rams were able to pull off their first win of head coach Sean McVay’s ninth season with the team.
With Week 1 in the books, Pro Football Focus released its first team of the week of the 2025-26 season, which features three Rams players.
Matthew Stafford
GettyMatthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams
All eyes were on quarterback Matthew Stafford for the Los Angeles Rams in the season opener.
Stafford was suffering from a back injury and was forced to miss most of training camp before returning for the final few weeks before Week 1.
The quarterback proved in the game that he was 100%, helping the Rams to victory, throwing for 245 yards and a touchdown.
Alongside being named to PFF’s team of the week, he was also named to the publication’s offensive player of the week, with a 92.9 overall grade.
In the game, Stafford became the 10th quarterback in NFL history to break 60k passing yards.
Puka Nacua
GettyLos Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua.
Puka Nacua had what can be considered his most memorable performance as a professional.
The wide receiver suffered a hit to the head, causing a cut, and missed part of the first half before returning with stitches to complete the game.
Despite suffering a cut, Nacua returned to the game and was able to finish with 130 yards on 10 receptions.
“[I Tried] to play football normally, there was some padding that was covering the eye a little bit,” Nacua said when playing with stitches. “But then it was like, ‘I’m going out here, hopefully these stitches are doing their job because I’m not hesitating to hit somebody else.'”
“My excitement to go out there and hit somebody and be able to play with the physicality that I enjoy the game of football with is something that drives me to get back out there.”
Nate Landman
GettyNate Landman #53 of the Los Angeles Rams
Linerback Nate Landman made the game-saving play that sealed the win for the Rams to kick off the 2025 NFL season.
The Houston Texans were in Rams territory, pushing down the field with less than two minutes left to go in the game, when Landman successfully punched the ball out of the Texans’ running back Dare Ogunbawale hands, which helped seal the win for the team.
The Texans still had three timeouts left late in the game, but the Rams were able to gain a first down and run out the clock.
Landman finished the game with 10 total tackles and a QB hit. The linebacker, who signed a veteran minimum contract, was named a captain this season and appears to be a free agency steal.
