NBA Rumors: Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga, Kings, Ja Morant, Lauri Markkanen

Warriors

It wouldn’t be a Warriors season without uncertainty around Jonathan Kuminga.

As Tim Bontemps of ESPN noted, Kuminga’s role has swung from starter to reserve again, followed by a knee issue, and the same inconsistencies that have defined his early career continue to resurface.

“He is who he is, even though he’s on the younger side,” an Eastern Conference scout told ESPN. “He has looked better and has been trying to fit in, but he still falls back into his old habits.”

A potential trade remains difficult. Golden State isn’t going to give away a 23-year-old forward, and the team is pressed up against the second apron, making it hard to find matching value or a partner willing to take on the project.

“Who is going to take him?” the scout said. “And are they going to move him for stuff they don’t want, or just wait? It’s very hard to find a trade that makes sense for everyone.”

Kings

Scouts around the league are openly questioning Doug Christie’s job security and watching to see whether Sacramento starts listening on veterans like Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan or Zach LaVine.

After all, the Kings have stumbled badly out of the gate.

“They’re a disaster,” an Eastern Conference scout told Bontemps. “They’re going nowhere fast. They just have to put a rock on the accelerator and keep going into the tank … they’re expensive, bad and aging.”

More Rumors

If the Mavericks move Anthony Davis before the deadline, expectations should be tempered.

Bontemps reported that executives around the league believe any return would look more like Phoenix’s Kevin Durant package — a couple solid players and one first-round pick — rather than multiple firsts.

Suitors are limited, but some around the league have wondered if the Bulls might take a swing on the Chicago native.

“I could see it,” one Western Conference executive told ESPN. “Giddey has worked well with Vucevic, but he could use a roll man to throw it up to.”

— Bontemps added that Ja Morant may face a similar market. Teams expect Memphis to explore options but question whether the Grizzlies will find a deal they like.

— Lauri Markkanen is also drawing interest after a major bounce-back. Following a down year, he is averaging 30.6 points on strong efficiency for Utah. His value is soaring, if the Jazz are open to discussions.

“He’s putting up monster numbers,” a West executive said. “They’re running everything through him. If he goes to a place that he’s an additive piece … you have to have the right team around him to go after him.”