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…
Hard to believe, huh? (wink!)
You should try stand up comedy.
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
I think they keep Lindy and pass on Connaughton. …and does Kessler bring more than they would lose on defense?
Not a snowballs chance in hell Milwaukee do that. Teams like OKC, Spurs, Rockets, Jazz, even Brooklyn which apparently is appealing to Giannis? Like you can believe everything that’s written. Nets have like 9 1st rounders they can trade and salary dump Simmons in process. Giannis and Wemby, whoa. That would be something.
Danny Ainge is not trading for Dame. Dame is stuck with the Bucks until his contract ends. Nobody wants him!
Facts.
The Bucks could move Lopez much easier than dame. It’s sensible to move him for an expiring contract from a contender with a potential late 1st round pick. I don’t pretend to know what expiring contracts there are out there. But the Bucks are stuck with everyone but Brook and Gianni’s
I still think Dame & Giannis can work. Just not with Doc Rivers. He’s made them worse from the second he arrived in Milwaukee and needs to go back to the media seat. Washed up.
Shawnpe,
It seems like Milwaukee will have 2 goals if they chose to rebuild mid-season: get under the cap and acquire young talent. Getting under the cap in the short-term involves getting other teams to take your bad contracts (i.e., Connaughton)
I’m not sure 45 games of 37 year-old, free-agent-to-be Brook Lopez gets you a first round pick? Maybe, but it would have to be protected from 1-20. A few contenders with a surplus of good young players and $20M of expiring contracts could be interested. Golden State and NOLA come to mind.
More likely you could use Lopez as part of a bigger deal to help dump a bad contract, like Connaughton’s, and get something of value in return that way.
nrg82 , as usual, a straw man in every sentence.
As you know:
– Kuminga has already been offered $30M. That means GSW values him higher than all but Steph.
– You know, because we’ve discussed it before, that at 21 yrs old and the end of his 3rd season, he’s statistically better than Kahwi, Brown, Butler, etc, at the same stages of their career.
– Rookie extensions always look like overpay in yr 1, but by yr 4-5 are tremendous value. Tatum and Brown played for ~$32M last year.
Are you talking about the same Walker Kessler that comes off the bench for the worst team in the NBA.
Steve Kerr had a look at Kessler on Team USA last summer, and wouldn’t play him. You can’t play C for Kerr if you can’t defend the PnR. And, if you can’t pass, or shoot, or shoot the 3, you at least need to be able to catch the ball. Kessler is a big-bodied rim protector, but that’s not enough.
I agree. I’d use Kuminga to go bigger than Jimmy. Literally. We need someone who gets to the line though. And Jimmy does that. Don’t like him as a fit in a passing style offense. He would be better for the Pelicans. Who hold the ball forever and play one v one. Giannis is basically untradeable unless you include Steph. Picks and players combined would leave you with next to nothing on the bench. But Giannis is my overall best option for us. Of the possibly available. Jokic would look so good in a Warrior uni. But he would have to want it. Both are considered small market teams and could eventually flip their position on chances to retain their stars.
Interesting to view what Jimmy did for the heat as a failure. Losing the finals twice when his roster was severely outmatched on both occasions. Jimmothy Buckets has cemented himself as a hall of famer with his tenure in Miami. Not recognizing that is actually pretty shameful for anyone who enjoys the totality of the NBA.
I guess Chris Paul’s highest achievement is losing to the Bucks and James Hardens greatest achievement is losing to Golden State. Jackass.
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.
Yet, offered Kuminga $30 million? I’m not sure how much Jimmy expects at this stage being 35yrs old and if he wants a chance to win or at least be competitive, why not take that? Im not saying it gonna happen, but it’s way more realistic than Giannis. Kuminga for Giannis, whoa. You guys can dream, I guess. Only about half the league with better packages to offer than Golden State.
Jimmy is all about the money at this point. Like PG. During the bubble he was charging players $20 for a cup of coffee. $40M plus per year and ripping off players.
Lmao Jimmy charges millionaires $20 for a coffee and he’s the devil but Starbucks sells house wives a double shot mocha loco madness for $12 and all is well. Weirdo
Its not that they wouldnt think about Butler its that they literally cant make a competitive offer on a S&T. It could be an opt in and trade but then your still matching 54M which guts the roster.
If its Giannis he is good enough you dont feel as bad sending out Kuminga/Wiggins/Loon/GPII + more to match even in season. Its more likely it would happen in the offseason.
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!!!
Jesus Davey. You’re lucky there’s 5 people who can’t help but repeat the same points they’ve made for 3 months on every Warriors story. Thats the only reason we get 2 of them a day.
They need a veteran C and a C prospect. Does that help Bonercats?
Kuminga rejecting 30 million anually is…something. Bad call imo
Yeah, he’s not that level…yet. Give him a couple months though…
I wonder how much having Wiggins around has stunted his development. I think it’s obvious in the dense of minutes. But the sneaky side is the similarity in their game in one sense… doesn’t use his motor and athleticism to the fullest every night. He needs minutes and a mentor with a motor stuck on full bore
I thought you said this was the year JK shows his true Lebron like potential? Or are we backing off that claim already too?
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
I think the Warriors have thought about putting Jonathan Kuminga at the 4 but that’s not a position he can handle defensively. He’s too small, he’s only 6-6.
The decision has been made to keep him at the 3 permanently. I think it’s something he’s wanted and the team has also decided it’s best.
Besides, other power forwards eat him up. He can’t guard Chet or Anthony Davis, Zion, Siakam, Jaren Jackson Jr, Jeremi Grant, Sabonis.., and against these guys he has to gamble by going for the steal or poke the ball away, and that type of thing is always a losing proposition.
JK doesn’t have the size to battle with them. He’s not Draymond Green at 6-6 with the knowledge, strength, desire, skill, and experience to guard these guys.., PLUS guard centers !!
Green is one in a million type of guy and Jonathan Kuminga’s one in a million gift is athleticism as a small forward jumping through the roof, hitting the mid-range, different spin moves, and getting buckets at the 3 spot. Not the 4.
It’s tougher to attack consistently the basket at the 3, with more agile defenders, than at the 4.
Golden State can come up with a strategy to make him defend SF and act as a PF on offense, (a slashing face up PF, not a traditional big).
Most players you mentioned play the 5 position (I don’t discuss if they are PF or C by characteristics, I mean what position they actually play for their team). Jaren Jackson Jr., Sabonis, and Chet (AD last year), play the 5 for their teams.
Gamble for steals is not defense. In any case, he would use his athleticism to pressure more the ball.
An alternative to this is, if deploying Draymond at the 5 both on offense or defense, is a SF on offense (can be a Floor spacer) , who can handle 4s on defense. Or a stretch 4, running actions on offense to generate mismatches with Kuminga attacking 4s facing up, or 3s down low.
Yes good points. But Kuminga has to guard either Isaiah Hartenstein or Chet, Jeremi Grant or Deandre Ayton, Siakam or Myles Turner, etc, OR you are shuffling him back and forth from the three and four again, depending upon the opponent, which he hates.
He wants to play the three. You force him into the four he may not even resign and walk as an RFA next summer.
You also mentioned that playing the four is sort of a lazy man’s game (my words) for the natural three man. He doesn’t have to be as athletic, he can just bang. But JK is not big enough for that so he’s going to have to work at it and uses athleticism and develop some moves and play the 3.
I think he’s actually done that this summer.., I think he’s worked hard, you can see he is someone you can count on to get a bucket now. A lot better at it than last year and 2 years ago.
But I think everything you write in your reply is correct. No argument from me. I’m with you.
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?
Given the fact he helped the city and franchise win a title, they would likely trade him to a franchise on his wish list. I do this GSW has a nice crop of young players who can be included but ultimately it comes down to Miami or GSW for the best offer.
Bucks needs are picks, and lots of them, if it comes to that. The deal needs to be a Herschel Walker type deal (I hope I’m not the only one old enough to remember that). The draft cupboard is less than bare in MKE. Giannis’ legacy, if traded, would need to be the one that prevented a decade (s) long collapse. like the one that happened after trading Ray Allen for Desmond Mason, and a Gary Payton, who was shouting as loud as he could (before the trade) that he didn’t want to play for Milwaukee under George Karl.
I don’t think the current Bucks leadership is as ignorant as that 2000’s group. Although firing Bud, and the ridiculous coaching carousel that followed, sure looked like an idiot was in charge.
I really would like to see if they can get Kris healthy and in the court before breaking up the team. I’m sure Bucks Nation would too. All those trade scenarios can happen in the next off season too.♂️. There’s no trade that’s an instant fix anyway. Play it out Milwaukee. Lose Doc and replace him with Ham today
Shawnpe, I think you’re right on that point that they’ll wait until Khris Middleton comes back to full strength and they see what they have with this veteran team before they start selling.
If they crap out this year while healthy then they’ll probably start dumping. Hopefully eat Doc’s contract too and bring in some young coach and do it all over again with a gazillion draft picks.
Seems to be the way to go with OKC and Memphis building that way.., maybe Houston this year.. and Utah, well who knows what Ainge is up to LOL.
The GSW picks have more value than most future 1sts, but only the ones 3+ years out. If Giannis says I want to go to GSW they can put together a decent package of like 3 picks 1 swap(because the Bucks dont have picks to swap so only one is possible), and Kuminga/Moody/TJD. I would think GSW would try and keep Podz since he has lower ceiling but is the type of glue guy they would need around the stars.
Warriors don’t need Butler with his age and high salary. People always make some claim this guy to teh warriors but forget they don’t have any bad contracts to send out. Is Butler that much better than Wiggins?
That really depends on which version of Andrew shows up…
Butler at his best is a clear upgrade on both ends… But he’s too often injured…
Wiggins can do what Butler does, but is very inconsistent at playing at that level…
If the Warriors were close by just trading Wiggins for Butler it would be a thought to entertain… But they ain’t close and adding Butler doesn’t make them a contender either…
Would like to see a deal built on Dlo and Vanderbilt/Vincent and maybe picks for Dennis Schroder and Bojan Bogdanovic.
Dennis plays better defence and is happy to start or come off the bench. Bojan would be a solid role player to bring off the bench who can really light it up. Dlo back to Brooklyn where he was so good for them and then either a back up guard in Gabe or a back up forward in Jarred and a pick or two maybe.
Way I see it is Dennis ain’t a longer term piece and Bojan is a buyout candidate, atleast in this they get back a former fan favourite, a young player and some draft capital.
Decent idea
Kuminga will regret it. He is overvaluing himself. Few teams have cap space in 2025. Only 4 teams have cap space, and they range from $13M to $27M, that’s if they don’t retain their rookie players team options. Several NBA players became free agents in 2024 and regretted it. New rules have changed the game. Kuminga might end up getting on $20-$25M in Free agency if that.