Time appears to be running out for the Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga to agree to a new contract. October 1st is the deadline for Kuminga to take the qualifying offer. That means there is likely to be some movement in discussions before then.
If he doesn't take the qualifying offer, then it would take that off the table, meaning that he would either have to agree to a multi-year deal or be traded. That possibility can't be discounted with the Sacramento Kings continuing to be linked to Kuminga.
The Warriors aren't convinced that trading him, especially to the in-state Kings, is a good idea, according to Sam Amick. The Warriors apparently still believe that Kuminga has star potential, even though they haven't done a particularly good job of maximizing his potential.
That leaves the door open for a trade between the Warriors and Kings.
The no-brainer Kings trade package is too good for the Warriors to refuse
The obvious Kings trade package would see them ship out Malik Monk, Devin Carter, and a 2030 top-five protected first-round pick to the Dubs for Kuminga.
The apparent hang-up in a possible trade is the protections on the Kings' pick. Let's be honest, it's the Kings. Everyone—including Sacramento—knows that them trading a future first means that they would be giving up a lottery pick.
The rub is that the Warriors need to be convinced for them to give up Kuminga, and the Kings would have to decide whether it's worth it for them to make the deal. Them meeting the Warriors halfway by top-five protecting that 2030 pick might be worth it for Sacramento and for Golden State.
That could give the Warriors a potentially huge trade chip if a big name becomes available. They would also get a recent former first-round selection and a perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate in Monk.
If the Warriors and Kuminga remain far apart on contract negotiations, then that would be a great offer that they must consider as an alternative. For the Kings, Kuminga would be a worthwhile gamble even though he doesn't fit their current roster. Then again, their current roster doesn't fit, so what the heck.
All told, the Kings are the best-positioned to land Kuminga if the Warriors decide to cut bait. We will soon know Golden State's plans with October first and preseason looming