Breaking News: Warriors extended Jonathan Kuminga lifeline that creates perfect sign-and-trade
Nearly three weeks into free agency, Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors still haven’t come to terms on what the future will look like. Kuminga is a restricted free agent hoping to receive a lucrative new deal, while Golden State head coach Steve Kerr has publicly stated that he doesn’t know if the 22-year-old can play big minutes alongside the core veterans. Thankfully for the Warriors, a lifeline has been extended that could open the door to a mutually-beneficial sign-and-trade with the Phoenix Suns.
Phoenix has been active during the 2025 offseason, most notably trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for a package that centered around Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green. The Suns now project to roll out a starting lineup that would see Brooks and Green playing alongside All-Star Devin Booker.
According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Suns aren’t done putting together their new-look rotation—and may attempt to sign Kuminga away from the Warriors.”Sources say Phoenix, meanwhile, is the latest team to express exploratory interest in a Kuminga sign-and-trade … challenging as it would be for the Suns to make such a deal happen.”
With Fischer reporting that Kuminga is looking for a deal in the neighborhood of $25 million per season, an opportunity has presented itself for Golden State to counter Phoenix’s interest with a sign-and-trade proposal: Kuminga for Brooks.
Unlikely as it may seem, it’s a late lifeline being extended to a Warriors team in need of a potential Kuminga replacement. Brooks could have value to the Suns, but the same can be said for Kuminga with the Warriors. If Phoenix is to make a formal offer for Kuminga, that would seemingly open the door to Golden State countering with a simple reminder that salaries must at least come close to matching to pull this off. The only individual player on the Suns’ salary cap table who makes in the range of what Kuminga is asking for is Brooks at $21,124,110 for the 2025-26 season. While many would argue that Kuminga is the superior talent, Brooks would be a better fit with the Warriors’ veterans. He’s one of the best 3-and-D wings in the NBA, possessing the toughness and tenacity that one would think would fit wonderfully alongside Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.