BREAKING: Golden State Warriors Shock with Proposed Trade of Jonathan Kuminga for Elite Three-Point Shooter
The 2024-2025 NBA season concluded with the Golden State Warriors as a team brimming with potential but still facing gaps to fill. After a Western Conference semifinal loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Warriors are approaching a pivotal offseason, needing bold moves to bolster their roster and sustain championship aspirations. A shocking trade proposal, recently highlighted by Sports Illustrated, suggests trading Jonathan Kuminga, the team’s promising young talent, for an elite three-point shooter dubbed a potential new “Splash Brother.” This idea has sparked intense discussion among Warriors fans.
Jonathan Kuminga: Rising Star and Strategic Dilemma
Selected seventh overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, Jonathan Kuminga has shown star potential. In the 2024-2025 season, he averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and shot an impressive 48.4% from the field and 40% from three-point range across 47 games. Kuminga shined in the playoffs, especially when Stephen Curry was sidelined by injury, scoring 34 points in consecutive games against the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns. However, his role with the Warriors has been inconsistent, particularly after the team acquired Jimmy Butler before the February 2025 trade deadline. Butler’s arrival forced Kuminga to adjust his game, and he was even benched for four games in the first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.
Injuries and a lack of synergy in the starting lineup, particularly among Kuminga, Butler, and Draymond Green, have prompted head coach Steve Kerr to reassess Kuminga’s fit. According to ESPN, Kerr admitted that the lineup featuring Kuminga, Butler, and Green “doesn’t quite fit.” With Kuminga set to become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2025, the Warriors face a critical decision: re-sign him or leverage him in a sign-and-trade for a better-fitting piece.
Trade Proposal: A New “Splash Brother”
Per Sports Illustrated, the proposed trade focuses on acquiring a top-tier three-point shooter to enhance the Warriors’ long-range firepower alongside Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. Known for their three-point-heavy style, the Warriors need an elite shooter to revive the “Splash Brothers” dynamic once embodied by Curry and Klay Thompson, who departed for the Dallas Mavericks last summer. The team is still searching for a worthy replacement.
Trade rumors have linked the Warriors to stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, Cameron Johnson, Brook Lopez, Derrick White, and Kristaps Porzingis. To land one of these players, the Warriors may need to part with Kuminga, whose youth (22 years old) and potential make him an attractive asset. ClutchPoints suggested targeting a sharpshooter who can stretch the floor and add stability to the lineup.
For instance, Bleacher Report proposed a sign-and-trade with the Chicago Bulls, sending Kuminga to Chicago in exchange for Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo Ball, and a top-5 protected 2029 first-round pick. Vucevic, a center with three-point shooting ability, could address the Warriors’ center position needs, while Ball brings defensive tenacity and playmaking. Another scenario involves pursuing Kevin Durant, Curry’s former teammate, in a complex deal including Kuminga and draft assets.
Are the Warriors Ready to Part with Kuminga?
Trading Kuminga is a tough call. He’s one of the Warriors’ brightest young talents, with explosive scoring and the potential to become an all-around star. However, with the team focused on maximizing Stephen Curry’s prime years, they need players who can contribute immediately. According to The Athletic, the Warriors and Kuminga are expected to “explore sign-and-trade scenarios,” though they remain open to keeping him if no suitable deal emerges.
Owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. have expressed admiration for Kuminga but emphasized that retaining him is a “two-way street.” Kuminga must prove he can mesh with the Warriors’ system, while the team needs to position him to maximize his potential.
Conclusion
The idea of trading Jonathan Kuminga for an elite three-point shooter reflects the Golden State Warriors’ bold ambition to rebuild a championship-caliber roster. Whether this trade materializes or not, it underscores the team’s willingness to make tough decisions to optimize their lineup. With Stephen Curry as the cornerstone and Jimmy Butler’s addition, a new “Splash Brother” could be the final piece to propel the Warriors back to NBA supremacy. However, parting with a talent like Kuminga will undoubtedly spark heated debate this offseason.