Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga is the headliner among the six players named by Sam Amick and John Hollinger of The Athletic as possible trade candidates to watch over the course of the 2024/25 season.
League sources tell Amick there was a “significant” gap between Kuminga and the Warriors when they discussed a possible rookie scale extension prior to the season, with Golden State’s offer topping out at around $30MM per year, while the fourth-year forward sought at least in the range of $35MM annually.
The two sides were unable to agree to an extension, putting Kuminga on track for restricted free agency in 2025. While he and the Warriors could finalize a new deal at that time, rival executives believe Golden State is “more willing than ever” to put the former No. 7 overall pick in a trade package, according to Amick, though he cautions the return would have to be significant.
Heat swingman Jimmy Butler is one name to keep an eye on, says Amick, citing league sources who say the Warriors registered some interest in the 35-year-old. Butler is extension-eligible and holds a player option for 2025/26, but reportedly plans to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Here are a few more trade-related rumors from around the NBA:
- Lakers guard Austin Reaves is a favorite of both team owner Jeanie Buss and head of basketball operations Rob Pelinka and has been made virtually untouchable in past trade discussions, Amick writes. The former undrafted free agent is a developmental success story, is on a team-friendly contract, and has another fan in new head coach J.J. Redick, but if the Lakers hope to make a trade for a star, they may have to have another internal discussion about how strong their hold on Reaves will be, according to Amick.
- Walker Kessler is among the other possible trade candidates listed by Amick and Hollinger, with Amick suggesting that Jazz head coach Will Hardy has pushed the third-year center hard in the hopes of advancing his development and getting a clearer sense of whether he’s a long-term keeper in Utah. The Lakers are among the teams that have registered interest in Kessler, and while the Jazz are open to listening, a team source tells Amick that they wouldn’t be interested in a deal centered around D’Angelo Russell and draft picks.
- The Bucks‘ slow start this season has led to a surge in trade speculation about star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. There has been no indication that Antetokounmpo will seek a change of scenery and it’s extremely unlikely Milwaukee would consider moving him if that doesn’t happen, but Bill Reiter of CBS Sports says rival executives are increasingly hopeful about the two-time MVP’s potential availability. The Nets have had interest in Antetokounmpo for years, a league source tells NetsDaily, but it’s safe to assume that could be said of many teams around the league, so Brooklyn would have plenty of competition if Giannis ever lands on the trade block.
A team isn’t interested in a deal involving Dlo?
Shocking…
Sign and trade involving Butler and Kuminga seems more realistic for Golden State. If, big IF. Giannis asks out the bucks will want a package that’s heavily pick based. Although matching salaries would be tough. Warriors should also have interest in Kessler.
Mike Dunleavy isnt Bob Myers, he isnt not trading for an aging player that is mediocre in the regular season, cant shoot, needs the ball in his hands, has had injuries lately and will demand a huge amount of money while his biggest accomplishment is “losing the finals twice”
Could get Jimmy for kuminga only, Jimmy could walk for nothing. Clearly GS don’t think Kuminga is worth $35 per which is correct. That hardly effects Warriors depth now does it? Asking price for Walker Kessler is apparently 2 1sts, throw in a filler if need be. Just spit balling here. Does this make Warriors better or worse? Steph, Jimmy, Green, Kessler starting. Still got Wiggins, Podz, Moody, etc. Plenty of guys are famous for not making the finals at all. Give me play off Jimmy over say playoff Embiid everyday that ends in Y. If you think Kuminga getting $35 mil per gets you a title, than cool, enjoy.
Why not REALLY shake things up, Brabo and Nrg82? If the shipwrecks in Utah and especially Milwaukee continue with no salvation in sight, how bout this 3-team MONSTER of a deal……..(not accounting for payroll aprons, oven mitts, and air fryers)…….
Giannis and Connaughton to DUBS for Wiggins, Kuminga, Waters III, Santos, 2024 2nd rounder Post, and a future 1st
Dame Time to JAZZ for Sexton, 3 future 1sts and a 2nd rounder
Kessler to DUBS for expiring contract guys (both of them?) Looney and GP2 and a future 2nd
——-Dame Time, George, and Markkanen form a potentially sound trio, and DT doesn’t have as much pressure like in the win-now-or-else Milwaukee environment
——The Bucks regroup and build for the future with a ton of draft capital and plenty of ready pieces looking to make amends/a name for himself
——And as for the Dubs?? Hole-eeee CRAP, Brabo and Nrg82! If you’re a Warriors fan…..I mean……LOOK AT THIIIIIIIIIIISSS(!!!!)………
PG-Curry
SG-Podziemski
SF-Green
PF-Giannis
C-Jackson-Davis/Kessler
————————-
BENCH: Hield, Moody, Melton, Anderson, Connaughton, JD/Kessler, Beekman, Spencer
Nrg you cant make that work without a bunch of salary dumping. Butler would be wanting a salary that GSW could never offer and stay below hard cap a S&T triggers. If they dont bring back Loon or GPII they can use the MLE again or if they take lower salaries, but they will have no cap room or enough space below the apron to do any sort of near max S&T.
They can S&T Kuminga for a player already under contract that matches since only the receiving team would be hard capped, but what team is shipping the Ws a player at like 28-45M that they like more. The thinking seems to be they want him but only at the price he earns with his production.
They arent looking to move him and a Butler trade makes no sense since you cant make any move for him this year without Wiggins and 4 other players going out. Its near impossible to do the salary matching for a Butler type at 50M.
They wont be dealing Kuminga in all likelihood.
He hasnt proved enough to max him.
The team has all the power in restricted so they chose to make him prove hes worth what he wants before giving it to him.
If a player like Giannis is on the table Kuminga is available.
Aggregation trades dont happen in season because teams dont have the 6 extra roster spots to make the players work. A team like MIA doesnt have 5 players they want to waive to take back a bunch of matching players on expirings.
There is some risk that some of the dynamics of waiting for RFA cause him to under perform and pout are real. He played terrible the first couple games then whined when he got benched, but thats what happens when your stinking and the teams best player that covers for your deficiencies gets hurt. Kuminga has to know if he performs he gets to start and he gets his max so he just needs to earn both.
I think the more the NBA media tries to trade GSW players away, the more MDJ should hold all his pieces. They are ALWAYS trying to break up the Warriors, no matter how many times Steph has said being a 1-teamer is the most important thing about his legacy! lol, its just not happening! GSW has a good front office who makes good choices!
STOP TRYING TO BREAK UP STEPH AND THE WARRIORS!!!
Kuminga rejecting 30 million anually is…something. Bad call imo
Yeah, he’s not that level…yet. Give him a couple months though…
Kuminga should get around that or more just based on age and potential. His biggest problem is that the lineup that works best with him isnt sustainable with old man Dray for the regular season. I think they may go to the Dray at the 5 for the playoffs if they have to.
It’s good. Kuminga is a big slashing forward, potentially able to slash, drive, post up and score in the paint and playmake a lot, but with spacing. To unleash him, they need him at the 4, attacking the rim.
Draymond at the 5 can be the solution, Looney is capable, and has good playoff experience already, and Jackson Davis contributes.
I would sign a 5 with size to have as a traditional matchup center for big opposing centers to help Dray and the mentioned bigs
If Giannis truly does want out, Milwaukee should ask for the AD package. Tons of players who are contractually cheap with a couple picks as well.
Giannis >> AD
Giannis is still in his prime, is playing high level and is a difference maker.
Does Giannis give them a list of a couple teams he would accept? Do they honor it and take the best deal from a preferred destination, or do the Spurs/Jazz/OKC just get him?