Pacific Notes: Kuminga, Kings, Suns, Green

The Warriors do not want to include the contract of either Moses Moody or Buddy Hield as part of a possible Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade with the Kings, confirms Sam Amick of The Athletic in a new report. That essentially stalls the deal indefinitely, as one of those players would need to be part of the offing.

For now, Golden State expects Kuminga to return to the team for 2025/26. Still, a lot of time is left between now and Kuminga’s October 1 qualifying deadline, meaning there is room for further sign-and-trade discussions to happen somewhere.

The 6’8″ vet was hurt for much of the 2024/25, but when he did play he exhibited some appetizing athleticism and scoring touch. In 47 healthy games, Kuminga averaged 15.3 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 2.2 APG.

There’s more out of the Pacific Division:

  • There could be mutual interest between the Warriors and Suns regarding a Kuminga sign-and-trade, writes Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Rankin cautions, however, that an agreement could still be a long shot. Per Rankin, the 22-year-old sees Phoenix as being the kind of team where he’ll get to enjoy a big, consistent role alongside All-Star guard Devin Booker. The Suns have talked to Booker’s agent, Aaron Turner, but the Warriors are apparently not interested in a Phoenix return package.
  • New Suns trade acquisition Jalen Green‘s backcourt fit with Booker could use some work. Gerald Bourgeut of PHNX Sports breaks down three areas of his game that the former No. 2 overall pick needs to improve for the Booker tandem to succeed. Last year on the 52-30 Rockets, Green averaged a Houston-most 21.0 points and 3.4 dimes a night. He has intriguing upside as a supplemental creator and scorer next to Green.
  • In case you missed it, Lakers All-Star forward LeBron James has been amenable to L.A.’s new pivot to focusing its team-building around the younger Luka Doncic.
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