The Phoenix Suns tried. They went after Jonathan Kuminga, even though they don't have the first-round pick the Warriors seek in a sign-and-trade. Now, the Warriors might be done engaging in trade talks for Kuminga, as Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard reported on Monday that, according to a team source, a trade won't happen this summer (subscription required).
Does that mean Kuminga will 100 percent begin the season in San Francisco? No. It's the NBA — anything can happen. Maybe the Kings will sway the Warriors to send the forward to Sacramento.
If he is still on their roster when the regular season starts, it will be because he signed a two-year deal or picked up his $7.9 million qualifying offer. Golden State would be better off letting Kuminga go to Phoenix than risking him picking up his qualifying offer, but alas.
Kuminga's preferred destination might be the Kings, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't want to go to the Suns. Phoenix can offer him the increased role he wants. At this point, he'd be happier anywhere but Golden State.
Warriors reportedly don't plan to trade Jonathan Kuminga
If Kuminga signs a two-year deal, he'd still be eligible to be traded before the February deadline. What the Warriors can receive in a trade would be determined by how he plays in the first half of the season, that is, if he plays.
Keep in mind that he's an unproven player because he hasn't had the opportunity to show what kind of player he can be, not consistently.
Is that all on Golden State? No. Kuminga has to have the ball in his hands to thrive. He doesn't fit the team's system, nor does he fit their outlook. The Warriors are prioritizing winning another title with Steph Curry and Draymond Green over developing their young players.
Golden State doesn't have time for Kuminga to figure it out. Phoenix does. The Suns are trying to stay at least a little competitive in a daunting conference. Having Kuminga in the desert would give Phoenix another young player to potentially mold into part of its future.
Maybe the Suns will reach out to the Warriors again during the season if Kuminga signs a deal. Maybe Golden State's price will be too high for Phoenix (again).
The silver lining in this situation for the Suns is that the Warriors may regret not sending him to Phoenix in a sign-and-trade this offseason. At least Golden State could walk away from this saga on the losing end.