Golden State Warriors owners afraid to trade Jonathan Kuminga to avoid LA Clippers situation from 2019

Golden State Warriors worried Jonathan Kuminga will become a star on Sacramento Kings

NBA insider Sam Amick spoke on the Sactown Sports radio show about the Golden State Warriors’ dealings with the Sacramento Kings over Jonathan Kuminga.

Amick believes that the Warriors don’t want to trade Kuminga to a fellow California team out of fears that he might become a star there, and it would make them look foolish.

“There is a sense from some people involved that there’s a real reluctance not only to finally ‘quit him,’ if you will, but also to see him go up the road to another Northern California NBA team.

It’s run by a guy in Vivek Ranadivé, who used to be with the Warriors. And what if Kuminga blows up and becomes a total star?

“From a personal ownership dynamic level, there are some folks who feel like that could be playing a small part.

“Again, that’s not really relevant, because these other things are the real obstacles. But I mean, Joe—like a lot of owners—is very involved, too.”

This is a situation another California team experienced recently. In 2019, the LA Clippers traded Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to the OKC Thunder, who has gone on to win an MVP and NBA championship since then.

Golden State Warriors could change their mind for Keegan Murray

The Sacramento Kings have been trying to trade for Jonathan Kuminga for a long time. The Warriors have played hardball so far, but NBA insider Brett Siegel believes the Kings offering Keegan Murray could sway them.

“If they offered Keegan, that changes everything, but it’s not happening. Kings’ offer is Monk, and that future protected first. Maybe they could take protections off, but I still don’t think it changes anything.”

Keegan Murray is one of the Kings’ brightest prospects, and them offering to give him up in return for Kuminga could work to expedite a deal.

While one might think the Kings are unlikely to offer Murray as a bargaining chip, given that the star plays the same position as Kuminga, they wouldn’t be losing much.

However, it all depends on how much the Kings value Kuminga and Murray. Should they see Kuminga as a star-level prospect, they won’t worry about giving up another bright prospect.