The Kings and Phoenix Suns have been the strongest pursuers of Jonathan Kuminga, and apparently, the Warriors forward wouldn’t mind moving 80 miles northeast.
Kuminga met with Sacramento’s brass this week, ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported Friday on ESPN 1320 Sacramento, and the 22-year-old had a good discussion with general manager Scott Perry, assistant GM B.J. Armstrong and coach Doug Christie.
“Kuminga had contact with the Kings in the last couple of days,” Slater said. “It was the first time he met Scott Perry, and this wasn’t in person, but it’s the first time he’s communicated with Scott Perry, Doug Christie and B.J. Armstrong. And from what I’ve gathered, he liked the pitch that Scott Perry gave. He’s open-minded to the idea of Sacramento.
“I think part of that — I know part of that pitch — is you’re talking starting role, you’re talking bigger opportunity than the Warriors are necessarily offering right now. And I think that’s the part that shouldn’t get lost in this situation. Jonathan Kuminga isn’t just looking for the exact contract he wants in free agency. He’s looking for the opportunity he wants on the court.”
The Warriors’ offseason essentially has been put on pause until there is a resolution to the Kuminga situation, which has dragged nearly four weeks into free agency.
Sacramento made an offer to Golden State earlier this month, which sources told NBC Sports California’s Tristi Rodriguez included the Kings sending second-year NBA guard Devin Carter, big man Dario Šarić and two second-round draft picks to the Warriors in exchange for Kuminga.
The Warriors appear to be unmoved by the Kings’ offer, or anyone else’s thus far.
Golden State selected Kuminga with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, and while the 22-year-old showed flashes of potential, he never has been a perfect fit alongside Steph Curry, and that only intensified with the integration of Jimmy Butler at the end of last season.
In four seasons with Golden State, Kuminga has averaged 15.3 points on 45.4 percent shooting, with 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists. As Slater attested to, he is seeking a larger role than Warriors coach Steve Kerr has given him, and he could be the perfect addition for the team up the road that has longed for a young, athletic wing to complement Keegan Murray.
