The Phoenix Suns are reportedly interested in a trade with the Golden State Warriors for Jonathan Kuminga, per Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Kuminga could provide the Suns with an intriguing young running mate alongside Devin Booker and Jalen Green as they look to retool following their blockbuster Kevin Durant trade with the Houston Rockets.
“Sources say Phoenix, meanwhile, is the latest team to express exploratory interest in a Kuminga sign-and-trade ... challenging as it would be for the Suns to make such a deal happen,” Fischer wrote. “Fresh off completing a buyout of Bradley Beal this week, enabling the Suns to waive-and-stretch the hefty contract possessed by the three-time NBA All-Star guard, they have contacted both Kuminga's representation and the Warriors to make their fondness for the bouncy swingman known.”
Kuminga could be perfect for Phoenix.
How would Jonathan Kuminga fit with the Suns?
Up to this point in his career, Kuminga hasn’t panned out quite as well as the Warriors may have hoped. Steve Kerr has moved him in and out of the regular lineup, but the potential has always been there.
However, perhaps the Suns could be an interesting team to take a chance on him. Heading into next season, while they would likely prefer to be competitive in the West, that could be an uphill battle. Because of that, they could choose to focus more on development, which would be an ideal situation for Kuminga.
His slashing and driving abilities would create a ton of space for Booker and Green, both of whom are more than capable of playing off the ball. Meanwhile, Kuminga’s cutting would provide those two with a constant lob threat to play next to within the flow of the offense.
Kuminga is an objectively talented scorer. He’s coming off two seasons where he’s averaged 16.1 points and 15.3 points, respectively, though he shot much more efficiently during his 2023-24 campaign than he did last year.
Next year, Kuminga will be 23 years old for the entire season, meaning there’s plenty of time for him to continue to grow and improve as a player.
If he wants to succeed at the highest level in the NBA, he’ll have to become a consistent defender, which he has all the tools to do, and hone his offensive skill set. He either needs to be an extremely efficient finisher at the rim or improve his three-point shooting to make up for that and add to his game.
Regardless, for a team like the Suns, who are in a bit of an awkward position, taking a swing on a guy like Kuminga could be perfect. And depending on the price, he probably wouldn’t be too expensive from a trade perspective, either.