Jonathan Kuminga’s status with the Golden State Warriors is unclear.
The above-the-rim 6-foot-7 forward performed well against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the postseason. Still, gauging how the organization feels about Kuminga after an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign is challenging.
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey predicts the Warriors will part with Kuminga and reunite with a ring-chasing 15-time All-Star forward this summer.
“This possibility would obviously require the Warriors to give up more than just Kuminga, but because they got out of the Jimmy Butler trade without too much damage to their asset stash, there may still be a sliver of a chance for a Kevin Durant reunion,” Bailey wrote Friday.
“Golden State can send multiple first-round picks and/or first-round pick swaps to the Suns, Kuminga on a new contract, some salary filler, and one or two other promising younger players (like Brandin Podziemski) for KD.”
“And Phoenix (Suns) might have to seriously consider something like that. Durant turns 37 in September, has a pretty robust injury history, and couldn’t prevent this Suns season from going off the rails. There are other teams that can beat the Warriors’ offer for him, but at this point, they may not want to.”
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“And while the window for contention wouldn’t be open long (or maybe all that wide) for a team with 37-year-old Durant, 37-year-old (Stephen) Curry, 36-year-old Butler and 35-year-old Draymond (Green), Golden State would have a better chance with that group than it did in 2024-25.”
Bailey’s trade proposal sends Kuminga (via sign-and-trade), Buddy Hield, Moses Moody, Podziemski, and a 2027 first-round pick to the Suns for Durant.
It’s almost guaranteed that Durant will be on the move this summer after spending 2.5 years with the Suns.
A Western Conference appearance or two with Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal would have sufficed. However, injuries and inconsistent play will likely force the Suns to revamp their roster this summer.
By rejoining the Warriors in free agency, Durant could improve his odds of winning his third championship in the big leagues.
Although the former Oklahoma City Thunder superstar doesn’t have experience playing alongside Butler, he’s won two NBA titles with Curry and Green in the Bay, giving him hope that another championship run could soon materialize.
Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 62 regular-season contests this year, shooting 52.7% from the field and 43.0% from three-point land.
If the Dubs decide to cut ties with Kuminga and Durant changes his stance on a Warriors reunion, an internet-breaking blockbuster trade could occur in the offseason.
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