NBA trade proposal sends Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga to Kings

The Warriors and Kings start training camp in a little more than a week. So why not spice things up with a little Bay Area–NorCal fake trade?

Look, it’s late September. News is light. So here at Hoops Wire (and by “here,” I mean me sitting in front of a laptop), I decided it was time for another make-believe swap before the real thing begins.

Anyway, I’ve been playing around with these throughout the summer, and one name that keeps coming up is Jonathan Kuminga. Not because the Warriors want to move him — but because his contract talks are going nowhere, his agent keeps talking about the qualifying offer, and Kuminga himself is said to have eyes for Sacramento.

So, let’s just cut to it.

The proposal: Warriors send Kuminga to the Kings for guard Malik Monk and a lightly protected first-round pick (or pick swap).

Why would Golden State consider it? The Warriors can’t risk losing Kuminga for nothing next summer if he takes the qualifying offer. Monk, meanwhile, is a proven scorer with three years left on a four-year, $78 million contract. He gives them bench firepower behind Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, while the draft asset restores a little flexibility.

The players:

• Kuminga (22, 6-foot-7) averaged 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds last season. His athleticism screams future All-Star. But he’s clashed with Steve Kerr, turned down multiple offers, and seems headed for the exit.

• Monk (27, 6-foot-3) put up 17.2 points and 5.6 assists for the Kings last season and is typically a Sixth Man of the Year candidate. He’s not as young as Kuminga, but he’s steady, productive, and signed long-term.

Why Sacramento might say yes: Because this is the guy they’ve been linked to all summer. Kuminga wants them, they want him, and they have plenty of guards already. Monk is valuable, but Kuminga’s upside at forward could be worth the gamble.

Why Golden State might say yes: They resolve the Kuminga standoff without letting him walk for free, and they add a dynamic guard who can help them win now.

Again, just for fun. But given the noise around Kuminga, it’s not hard to imagine something like this getting whispered about, especially with the Kings lurking.