Kings reportedly locked in on Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga, with Russell Westbrook as fallback

The Kings have been circling Jonathan Kuminga all summer, and they’re not hiding it.

Per Sam Amick of The Athletic, Sacramento has been the “most serious” sign-and-trade suitor for the Warriors’ restricted free agent forward. The Kings have even resisted making smaller deals because the front office is locked in on trying to land Kuminga.

If they strike out? That’s when Russell Westbrook comes into play. Amick reports that Sacramento is more likely to move on Westbrook if Kuminga proves unattainable.

NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line has echoed the same buzz, writing that the Kings “continue to covet” Westbrook. Sacramento has been linked to the former MVP for weeks but doesn’t appear ready to sign him unless they clear out a backcourt spot.

That brings us to Devin Carter. League chatter suggests the Kings may be willing to move last year’s No. 13 pick, who was drafted by ex-GM Monte McNair. Fischer says Carter has already been floated to Golden State in Kuminga talks, though the Warriors reportedly aren’t biting.

Carter flashed in the G League (26.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists in five Stockton appearances) but was limited to 36 NBA games as a rookie due to a shoulder injury. His numbers with Sacramento were modest at best.

Meanwhile, Kuminga himself isn’t exactly backing down. His latest Instagram post projected confidence in the middle of what Amick describes as a “borderline contentious” contract standoff with Golden State.

The Warriors are holding at two years, $45 million, with a team option for 2026-27. Kuminga, still just 22, may end up signing his one-year, $8 million qualifying offer to hit unrestricted free agency in 2026.

As Amick notes, the real pressure point doesn’t come until mid-September. Training camp looms, and the Oct. 1 qualifying offer deadline isn’t far behind. Until then, it’s a waiting game in Sacramento and Golden State.

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