The Phoenix Suns have attempted to acquire Jonathan Kuminga from the Warriors this summer in a sign-and-trade, but Golden State hasn't been swayed by offers from Phoenix (and Sacramento). It's not the first time that the Suns have tried to land Kuminga. NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on Friday that Phoenix and Golden State discussed including Kuminga (subscription required) in the pre-deadline Kevin Durant trade that never happened.
The Suns and Warriors would've likely agreed to a deal if Durant hadn't shot the idea down. He later said on Draymond Green's podcast that he didn't want to be traded midseason, so it's not as if he was against returning to San Francisco. Phoenix traded him at the beginning of the summer to Houston for an underwhelming return package.
Getting Kuminga in a Durant package would've allowed Phoenix to knock two birds out with one stone. The Suns wanted to trade KD, and they are interested in Kuminga.
The 22-year-old forward could end up in the desert next summer, as Fischer wrote that Kuminga's "only recourse at this stage might be accepting his $8 million qualifying offer." He doesn't want to sign the Warriors' two-year, $45 million offer. It'd include a team option in the second season, and Golden State wants Kuminga to waive his no-trade clause as part of the deal.
Suns-Warriors discussed including Kuminga in Durant trade package
Kuminga would become an unrestricted free agent next summer if he accepts his qualifying offer. It'd be a risky move for him, as anything can happen over the course of the 2025-26 season, but he doesn't want to be under the Warriors' control anymore.
It'd hurt Golden State if he accepted his qualifying offer since he could walk for nothing, but at this point, the Warriors wouldn't have anyone to blame but themselves. They've terribly mishandled the Kuminga situation.
There is still over a month left until Kuminga has to decide about his qualifying offer, so this saga isn't over yet. Perhaps Golden State will change its tune of not listening to sign-and-trade offers so the team can at least get something in return for the forward. If that happens, Kuminga could end up in Sacramento, as the Kings have the best offer.
If Phoenix doesn't get Kuminga, whether it be this summer or the next, it won't be the end of the world. He's an unproven talent, so while he could blossom into an All-Star kind of player with his next team (and that would take time), he could be nothing more than a scorer off the bench.