Last week, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported (subscription required) that the Phoenix Suns were the "latest team to express exploratory interest in a Kuminga sign-and-trade." On Thursday, ESPN NBA insider said that the Suns were one of the teams that made a "concrete offer" to the Warriors for Kuminga, but Golden State didn't want what Phoenix (or Sacramento) offered.
Charania said he spoke with Kuminga at a workout in Miami earlier today, saying the restricted free agent is in "good spirits." The insider added that Kuminga isn't in a rush to reach a deal with the Warriors and isn't accepting the team's current offers. He wants to continue to explore his options.
Reporting for NBA Today -- the latest on restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors as August nears: pic.twitter.com/hKZMA5rBGb
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 24, 2025
Phoenix is one of the more aggressive teams in the pursuit of Kuminga. The Suns can give him what the Warriors haven't been able to do consistently — an increased role as a starter. Charania said that is what Kuminga wants, "more than anything."
It becomes clearer by the day that Kuminga doesn't want to return to Golden State, but he also isn't in a rush to settle, either. Clearly.
Suns made an offer to the Warriors for Jonathan Kuminga
Kuminga could become the star he wants to be in Phoenix. He told The Athletic earlier in the offseason that he wants the chance to become an All-Star (subscription required), an opportunity that would never happen if he stayed in Golden State. Kuminga acknowledged that he has never had that chance.
It seems like Kuminga should be older than he is, but he's only 22. He'll turn 23 in October. He has the potential to become the player he thinks he can evolve into. It wouldn't hurt the Suns to take a swing on him, especially since his value has dipped over the past few weeks.
Kuminga isn't the missing piece that the Suns need to be a contender, but he'd fit well alongside Devin Booker, who is in Phoenix for the long haul. He can score and play off the ball.
It's unknown what the Suns offered the Warriors in a potential sign-and-trade deal, but it'd benefit Golden State to find a resolution to its Kuminga saga. The Warriors' offseason has been on hold due to the restricted free agent.
Phoenix hasn't had much luck the past couple of seasons (and even that is an understatement), but maybe, just maybe, Kuminga is a piece of the puzzle that the Suns are missing.