Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga was a restricted free agent this past summer. After a prolonged contract dispute, the Warriors and Kuminga agreed to a two-year, $46.8 million contract extension with a team option for 2026-27.
Jonathan Kuminga Sidelined With Knee Injury
Kuminga, 23, missed his sixth straight game on Monday night due to bilateral knee tendonitis. Prior to his knee injury, coach Steve Kerr demoted Kuminga back to a bench role after he made 12 consecutive starts.
After starting the season 4-1, the Warriors went on to lose four of their next five games. Amid team struggles and lackluster play, Kuminga started feeling like the scapegoat again.
The 6-foot-7 wing has been linked to multiple teams since then.
Per Spotrac, Kuminga’s two-year deal includes a 15% trade bonus and a trade restriction. As part of the deal, the former first-rounder also waived his inherent no-trade clause.
The club option in the second year is designed for either Golden State or another team if and when Kuminga is traded this season. Free agents typically become trade-eligible on Dec. 15.
However, Kuminga re-signed with the Warriors after being an unrestricted free agent. This means he cannot be traded until Jan. 15, as that’s when the restriction deadline for players who re-signed with a team is lifted.
With all of that in mind, here are three potential suitors for Kuminga.
New York Knicks
The Knicks could use an extra boost in their frontcourt.
SNY’s Ian Begley reported Saturday that he’s “sure” the Knicks “would at least check in with [the Dallas Mavericks] if/when Anthony Davis becomes available” because they “want to win a title this season.”
Adding the oft-injured Davis is a possibility for New York, but Kuminga is a better trade target. While the Warriors forward has also dealt with injuries in the past, he’s cheaper and nine years younger than Davis.
Golden State started the season 4-1 with Kuminga in the starting lineup. Given center Mitchell Robinson’s injury history, why take a risk on an aging star like Davis?
Davis is earning $54.1 million this season and $58.5 million in 2026-27. His three-year, $175.36 million deal includes a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28. He’ll be extension-eligible next summer as well.
Kuminga should be the better all-around choice for the Knicks.
Phoenix Suns
During the offseason, the Suns floated Grayson Allen in a sign-and-trade package for Kuminga. The Warriors, however, weren’t interested in the proposal.
Per ESPN’s Anthony Slater, the Warriors were seeking a first-round pick and a promising young player in return for Kuminga. Golden State wasn’t willing to take back bad salary in a deal.
Phoenix has gone 11-7 under first-year head coach Jordan Ott. The Suns appear to be a decent team at the moment, but having a young wing like Kuminga would help in the long run.
What’s more, the Suns are no longer considered a serious contender in the Western Conference following their big three flop with Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker.
Phoenix completed a buyout with Beal in July by utilizing the waive-and-stretch provision to spread the $99 million owed to the three-time All-Star over the next five years at $20 million per season.
Beal then signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers after he cleared waivers. His deal includes a player option for 2026-27.
Durant, meanwhile, was acquired by the Houston Rockets in July as part of the largest trade in NBA history, a historic seven-team deal that sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, No. 10 draft pick Khaman Maluach, and second-round picks Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea to Phoenix.
Miami Heat
Miami’s roster already features Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, Simone Fontecchio, and Kel’el Ware, as well as veterans Andrew Wiggins, Davion Mitchell, and Norman Powell.
When and if the Warriors open trade talks for Kuminga, the Heat should consider offering one of their young assets like Jovic or Jaquez, or potentially a future first-round pick.
Pat Riley is familiar with making bold moves to upgrade his roster.
Pairing Kuminga with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro would give the Heat greater roster flexibility to compete for a title right now while building long-term frontcourt depth.
It would be poetic for the Heat to cut a trade deal with the same team that acquired Jimmy Butler last season.
