Jonathan Kuminga didn\’t play in the Golden State Warriors\’ final game of the regular season against the Los Angeles Clippers. He also didn\’t play in the play-in game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
While Warriors head coach Steve Kerr could play Kuminga in the 2025 NBA playoffs, most league observers believe Kuminga needs a change of scenery.
With that being said, one NBA analyst proposed that a lowly Eastern Conference team trade for Kuminga this summer when the forward becomes a restricted free agent.
Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed that the Washington Wizards, who won only 18 games this season, acquire Kuminga this summer in a sign-and-trade deal involving the Warriors and Sacramento Kings.
In Bailey\’s trade idea, the Warriors would receive Corey Kispert, Jonas Valanciunas and a top-5 protected 2031 first-round pick from Washington, the Wizards would receive Kuminga and Malik Monk and the Kings would receive Marcus Smart, Buddy Hield, Saddiq Bey, Trayce Jackson-Davis and a top-20 protected 2030 first-round pick from Washington (via Golden State).
Kuminga appeared in 47 games for the Warriors this season. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 45.4% from the field, 30.5% from beyond the arc and 66.8% from the free-throw line.
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga
© Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
“The Wizards may insist on an even heavier protection, but again, Kuminga is the biggest individual prize in this deal,” Bailey wrote. “And he\’s nowhere near old enough to be considered some kind of timeline shifter for Washington. On the contrary, adding the 22-year-old to Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George would give this team one of the league\’s more interesting young cores.
“And having Jordan Poole, Khris Middleton (assuming he picks up his $33.3 million player option) and Malik Monk along with them would likely mean that core won\’t have to experience another 60-plus loss season in 2025-26.”
The Wizards need more talent. They had the worst record in the East this season and were 27th in the NBA in points per game and 30th in offensive rating.
Kuminga is only 22. He turns 23 in October. Now that the Warriors have Jimmy Butler, Kuminga\’s role has significantly changed in Golden State.
Once the offseason arrives, it will be fascinating to see what happens with Kuminga, who has career averages of 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists.