With Jimmy Butler fitting in well with Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, one asset could be on the trade block in free agency.
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus predicts the organization’s rising star, Jonathan Kuminga, will land with a lowly Eastern Conference franchise this summer.
“Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors were far apart in extension talks this past fall,” Pincus wrote Thursday.
“The (Brooklyn) Nets could gamble that a solid offer is enough to pry the forward loose for less than he wants but more than Golden State will pay. They could give him a four-year, $105.5 million offer sheet starting at $28.5 million (if it descends).”
“Brooklyn can include a trade kicker and advances to try to swing Kuminga its way.”
“The Nets need to do their homework with (Josh) Giddey and Kuminga, as these two deals would leave them with about $4.7 million in additional cap room if they need to sweeten one of those offers.”
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“The Warriors can match any offer that the Nets make, but with luxury taxes, aprons and a heavy commitment to Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green over the next two years, they may have a limit on how much they’d spend to retain Kuminga.”
During the trade season, Kuminga was linked to various franchises looking to add gifted young assets to their respective rosters.
When the Dubs acquired Butler from the Heat on Feb. 5, they elected to include Andrew Wiggins in the multi-team blockbuster deal, allowing Kuminga to finish the 2024-25 campaign with the Warriors.
However, considering Butler, who is averaging 17.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game with Golden State, has been a revelation for a Warriors squad that was on life support before he arrived in the Bay, Kuminga’s role could quickly diminish within the organization.
With the Nets, Kuminga would have the opportunity to start fresh with a franchise that would enable him to develop in a rebuilding situation.
The former lottery pick could be a prime trade candidate in the offseason, depending on how the rest of the year plays out.
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