Yet according to team sources, there’s still another scenario in play here: A sign-and-trade deal with the Sacramento Kings. While the two teams went more than a month without discussing the matter during the later part of the summer, team sources said the talks between the two sides were renewed earlier this week. And while no significant progress was made in the talks, it’s quite notable that the Kings — who have offered veteran guard Malik Monk and a lottery-protected, 2030 first-round pick for the chance to give Kuminga a three-year, $63 million deal — aren’t giving up on the prospect of bringing him to Sacramento this season.
Several obstacles to a deal remain, most notably the fact that the Warriors’ interest in Monk appears to be quite muted. His contract is the primary issue, as he has a player option for the 2027-28 season worth $21.5 million that does not fit with the Warriors’ future flexibility plans. There are concerns about his fit on the team as well.
If they did take him on, team sources said it’s likely Golden State would look to trade him elsewhere. The problem with that path, however, is that there’s no clarity as to whether that would be possible anytime soon.
The Warriors could create some of that desired salary cap space by trading either Buddy Hield or Moses Moody to stay under the first apron of the luxury tax, but have consistently messaged during this (painful) process that they refuse to do so, in large part, because of their affinity for both players. That messaging has grown even stronger in recent weeks.
But if the Warriors are going to change their stance and do this deal, it seems clear that the Kings will have to budge when it comes to the protections on the pick. And therein lies the key question for these next few days.
From the Kings’ vantage point, Kuminga has not performed like a lottery pick and thus shouldn’t require an unprotected first-round pick in return. If the pick doesn’t convey in 2030, it becomes the least favorable of the 2031 first-rounders between Sacramento and San Antonio. One way or another, the Warriors would get a first-round pick in the current construction of the deal. What’s more, the Kings see Monk as a dynamic player who they’d rather not lose and who would help the Warriors right away — contract complications aside.
