The Phoenix Suns are one of two teams vying for Jonathan Kuminga's services in a sign-and-trade, but they don't have a first-round pick to offer the Warriors, which is something Golden State is seeking. In a new report on Wednesday, ESPN said Phoenix "has made the most lucrative push via sign-and-trade" over Sacramento.
ESPN reported that Kuminga declined a two-year, $45 million offer from Golden State, partly because he prefers the long-term offers made by Phoenix and Sacramento. He wants "a fresh start, larger guaranteed role, a promised starting position and a greater level of respect and career control."
The Suns reportedly offered almost $70 million more in guaranteed money than the Warriors. Phoenix wants Kuminga, and he seems to want Phoenix. So, what's the problem?
The issue is that he's a restricted free agent, so he can't choose his destination. He could take the $7.9 million qualifying offer, which would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer. That'd be risky, though, especially after Golden State offered him a salary of $21.7 million next season. There is no guarantee that money will be on the table next summer.
Where does that leave the situation between Kuminga, the Warriors, and the Suns?
Suns have made the most aggressive push for RFA Jonathan Kuminga
ESPN wrote that the Warriors have "begun signaling a plan to cut off sign-and-trade conversations entirely" in recent days. Signs were already pointing toward Kuminga still being in San Francisco at the start of next season, and now that is even more likely. Will he be happy about that? No, but again, he isn't in control.
Having Kuminga in Phoenix would give him the freedom he wants to blossom into the player he thinks he can be. He never had that opportunity in his first four seasons in Golden State, and that won't change. Kuminga knows that, which is why he wants to leave the Warriors.
The stalemate between Golden State and Kuminga doesn't seem like it will end anytime soon, unless the forward accepts that he'll have to stay in the Bay for at least the first half of next season before he is eligible to be traded. Or, if he accepts the qualifying offer, he'll become a UFA next summer. Maybe the Suns will still be in the mix for him if that happens.