The Sacramento Kings have re-engaged the Golden State Warriors about a possible deal for forward Jonathan Kuminga with the NBA trade deadline set for February 5, ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported.
According to the report, Kings general manager Scott Perry contacted Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. last week. Sacramento pursued Kuminga during the offseason, when Perry met with the restricted free agent in Miami, but no agreement was reached.
Golden State has maintained the same stance throughout: the club is open to moving Kuminga but will not make a purely salary-dump trade and is comfortable keeping him if a satisfactory offer does not materialize.
Changing Terms in Sacramento
During the summer, Sacramento was willing to include a protected 2030 first-round pick for the 21-year-old forward. Slater now notes that Perry is hesitant to extend that far, signaling a more conservative approach.
The Warriors, meanwhile, have ruled out taking on long-term contracts they view as negative value and have shown no interest in guard Malik Monk, whose deal carries significant future salary.
Possible Multi-Team Scenario
A broader trade framework could emerge. Guard Keon Ellis’s $2.3 million expiring contract has drawn league-wide attention, and he becomes eligible for an extension on February 9, giving Sacramento another potential asset to leverage.
Broader Questions for the Kings
Owner Vivek Ranadivé remains an active voice in basketball decisions, having strongly pushed for last summer’s acquisition of DeMar DeRozan—a move that cost an unprotected future first-rounder and created a contract now considered difficult to move. Internally, veterans Dennis Schroder and Domantas Sabonis have echoed concerns about team accountability.
Head coach Doug Christie is not believed to be in immediate jeopardy, but the roster is considered expensive and inflexible, complicating any mid-season overhaul.
With real interest on both sides but significant hesitation over cost and structure, talks surrounding Kuminga illustrate the larger strategic challenges facing both Western Conference rivals as the deadline approaches.
Source: Hoops Wire
