The Wizards have jumped into the race to land Jonathan Kuminga, making a surprise push for the Warriors forward in the last 24 hours. According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Washington sees Kuminga as a potential cornerstone for their rebuilding efforts.
They’re not alone in their interest.
The Heat and Bulls have emerged as the frontrunners among a growing list of teams eyeing the athletic forward. Miami, Chicago, Milwaukee, Brooklyn, Sacramento, and New Orleans have all shown “varying levels of interest” in acquiring Kuminga.
Miami might have positioned themselves perfectly for a move. They created a $16 million trade exception Tuesday when they shipped Duncan Robinson to Detroit in a sign-and-trade deal.
For Chicago, things seem to be moving slowly. K.C. Johnson of CHSN reported Tuesday that there’s been no “traction” in the Bulls’ discussions for Kuminga.
The Pelicans face significant hurdles in any potential deal. Multiple salary cap experts have pointed out to NBA insider Jake Fischer that New Orleans would struggle to fit Kuminga’s desired contract while staying under the luxury tax – something the team’s ownership has consistently prioritized.
Sacramento’s interest comes with a twist.
The Kings reportedly want to include Malik Monk in any package for Kuminga, but nothing substantial has developed in talks with Golden State.
What Golden State Wants
The Warriors aren’t giving Kuminga away cheaply. They’re seeking “a promising young player plus a first-round pick” according to Slater, and they’re content to wait for the right offer.
Golden State extended a $7.9 million qualifying offer to Kuminga last week, making him a restricted free agent. This gives the Warriors the right to match any offer sheet he signs.
Only Brooklyn currently has the cap space to offer Kuminga a starting salary of $20 million or more without requiring a sign-and-trade, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
If no deal materializes, there’s growing belief around the league that Kuminga might return to the Warriors next season on a short-term contract.
Despite battling injuries that limited him to just 47 games last season, Kuminga showed flashes of his potential. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.
At just 21 years old, his combination of athleticism and upside continues to attract attention from teams looking to add young talent.
