The NBA landscape took another notable shift on Friday, with news breaking somewhat unexpectedly out of the Golden State Warriors' camp. In a season that has seen them add longtime nemesis - and one-time Phoenix Suns Point God - Chris Paul, as well as lose Draymond Green until who knows when, Shams Charania of The Athletic hit us with news regarding Jonathan Kuminga.
The 21-year-old seemingly unhappy with his role on the Warriors, and having lost belief in head coach Steve Kerr after sitting the final 18 minutes of the team's loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night. Players being frustrated with their roles with an organization is certainly nothing new, and Kuminga's time with the Warriors could be described as lukewarm at best.
But it is the wording used in the report by Charania that will have caught many by surprise, and surely means that a trade out of town for the player is imminent?
What Kuminga's camp have done here is interesting, because it will likely force the hand of a franchise that is currently under no obligation to trade him. Kuminga is still so young and has plenty of growing and improving to do in this league, and the Warriors will wind up looking very foolish if they do trade him, only to see him blossom elsewhere.
Coming at this from another angle though, and the fact Kuminga is under contract for this season and next, before becoming an unrestricted free agent, means he has real value. The Suns would likely get outbid if they were serious about Kuminga - but given both teams are in win now mode - why not try the below trade, and see if it tests the Warriors?