Warriors have no interest in Kings guard as part of a Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade

The Sacramento Kings' chances of landing Jonathan Kuminga via a sign-and-trade appear to be all but over. 

Kings general manager, Scott Perry, has reportedly been interested in adding the former lottery pick to his roster all summer. However, the Golden State Warriors have resisted all inquiries for Kuminga, both from the Kings and other teams around the NBA.

Recently, ESPN's Anthony Slater reported that the Warriors had re-engaged with the Sacramento Kings over sign-and-trade discussions. Unfortunately, it would appear those talks are destined to fall flat, as the Warriors continue to be against adding Malik Monk to their roster.

On Saturday, NBA insider Jake Fischer noted how Monk's player option for the 2027-28 season is the primary reason for the Warriors' reluctance to acquire him. Golden State's current cap situation is designed to provide the franchise with maximum flexibility in the summer of 2027.

"Golden State has made it clear that it has no interest in absorbing Malik Monk's contract from Sacramento, irrespective of Monk's talents, if it means taking on Monk's $21.5 million player option for the 2027-28 season," Fischer reported. "...As much as Golden State hopes to compete for championships over the next two seasons with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Butler all on the same contractual timeline, it is also laser-focused on having financial flexibility after the 2026-27 season when the trio's current contracts are on course to expire simultaneously." 

Assuming the Warriors are drawing a line under their sign-and-trade conversations, Kuminga's options appear to be limited. He can either sign the three-year contract that is reportedly on the table or sign his qualifying offer. Kuminga has until Oct. 1 to make that decision. 

Warriors unlikely to give Jonathan Kuminga a player option

The biggest roadblock stopping Kuminga from signing the Warriors' latest contract offer — rumored to be worth $75 million over three years — is that the final year has a team option. Kuminga would reportedly prefer a player option on that final year, thus giving him more control over his future.

According to Fischer, the Warriors have shown no desire to make that compromise and remain focused on keeping a team option on any contract Kuminga signs. 

"The Warriors likewise do not appear willing to revamp the most recent offers they've made to Kuminga," Fischer reported. The two most notable are a three-year pact worth $75 million and a two-year pitch worth $45 million — both of which feature a team option rather than a player option in the final season. Kuminga's camp has pushed hard to try to turn those options into player options while Warriors officials maintain that they will not come off their team option-or-bust stance."

Given the Warriors' strong stance, the most likely outcome is that Kuminga will sign his qualifying offer. And while that would be a disastrous outcome for the Warriors, at least it would put an end to the current saga. After all, Golden State's training camp will begin on Sept. 29, and currently, the team only has nine players under contract.

The quicker Kuminga's situation is resolved, the quicker the front office can begin to focus on the upcoming season and maximizing the talent at their disposal.