As the NBA calendar approaches August, free agency is already slowing down, and many of the top remaining free agents have already found a team. However, Golden State Warriors prospect Jonathan Kuminga is still waiting to find out where he will be playing next.
He is a restricted free agent, and thus far, he and the Warriors have failed to agree on a new deal. That increases the possibility that he will be on another team come training camp.
The Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, and, more recently, the Phoenix Suns are among the teams that have expressed interest in him. The Suns have dramatically reshaped their roster after trading star Kevin Durant and could continue to do so by adding Kuminga in a sign and trade.
That would take some doing, and it would also require the Warriors to play ball, which they are under no obligation to do. Still, there is a potential sign-and-trade that could work out well for both teams as well as for Kuminga.
The Suns are perfect trade partners for the Golden State Warriors
A potential trade involving the Warriors and Suns would see Phoenix trade Royce O’Neale, Nick Richards, and a future second for Kuminga.
On paper, that seems like a poor return for Golden State, considering that Kuminga was the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. On the other hand, it appears that he is in coach Steve Kerr’s doghouse and likely won’t play a big role were he to return to the Warriors next season.
When taking that into account, trading him for two rotation players in O’Neale and Richards is actually a good move. Kuminga’s value clearly isn’t as high as many Warriors fans had hoped, as evident by him not getting a single offer sheet in restricted free agency.
Therefore, turning him into positive value by getting two rotation players, including at a position of need, such as center, makes sense for Golden State. Especially with them having done very little this off-season and waiting on Al Horford to decide on whether he will sign there or retire.
The Phoenix Suns are the perfect landing spot for Jonathan Kuminga
From Phoenix’s perspective, the addition of Kamingo would be a worthwhile gamble. He has yet to play big minutes, and starting and playing around 30 minutes per game could give them a glimpse at his full potential.
With few teams registering interest in him, the Suns could get him for a steal if he turns into a star. According to Suns insider John Gambadoro, the Suns are planning on having recently acquired guard Jalen Green play point guard.
Jalen Green’s numbers when Fred Van Vleet was out last season and he ran the point were actually decent. Green averaged 19.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 22 games without VanVleet in 2024-25. Had 8 games of 5 or more assists, had 10 assists versus Jazz and 8 against… https://t.co/sCt31q1qbo
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) July 24, 2025
That means that star Devin Booker will play his natural position at shooting guard, Dillon Brooks will play small forward, and Kuminga could start at the four alongside Mark Williams at center. All things considered, that would be a surprisingly good lineup.
They would have plenty of offensive firepower with Green and Booker and length, size, and defensive versatility with Brooks, Kuminga, and Williams in the front court. They also have plenty of upside, with Green and Kuminga having a chance to break out.
All told, with the Warriors and Kuminga at a stalemate in contract negotiations, the Suns could swoop in and land him without having to overpay for him. Given that they are in a semi-rebuild, that would be a great low-risk, high-reward move for Phoenix.
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July 26, 2025 | 12:00 pm
