NBA Trade Rumors: Golden State Warriors Urged to Sign $5,105,710 Sacramento Kings Star; Jonathan Kuminga Key Trade Asset? | NBA News
As the Golden State Warriors enter a pivotal offseason, all signs point toward a sign-and-trade scenario involving forward Jonathan Kuminga. With the young star reportedly uninterested in continuing his tenure with the franchise, the Warriors have incentive to find a trade partner—and according to Blue Man Hoop’s Maxwell Ogden, the Sacramento Kings might be the right match.
Keon Ellis a Logical Target for Golden State Warriors
In a recent column, Ogden emphasized that the Golden State Warriors should target Kings guard Keon Ellis in any deal involving Kuminga. The reason? Ellis finished the 2024-25 NBA season as one of the most accurate three-point shooters in the league.“In the event that the Kings and Warriors can coordinate a trade that’s built around (Keon) Ellis and Kuminga, however, it’s a deal Golden State should seriously consider,” wrote Ogden.
Why Keon Ellis?
• Top 10 Three-Point Shooter: Ellis ranked 8th in the NBA for three-point percentage, shooting 43.3% from beyond the arc in 2024-25. • On the Rise: At 25, the Alabama product has improved each season and continues to sharpen his scoring and shooting efficiency. • Cap-Friendly Contract: Ellis is currently on a rookie-scale deal, giving the Warriors both production and flexibility.
Player Stat (2024-25) Contract Status
Jonathan Kuminga rejected Golden State Warriors (Image via Instagram / @jonathan_kuminga)
| Player | Three-Point Percentage | League Rank | Contract Status |
| Keon Ellis | 43.3% | No. 8 | Rookie-scale deal |
| Jonathan Kuminga | N/A | N/A | Targeting $90M/4 years, seeking new team |
The Financial Puzzle of a Kuminga-Ellis Trade
A direct trade between Kuminga and Ellis isn’t simple. Sacramento is reportedly offering Kuminga a four-year, $90 million deal, which complicates any potential swap.Ogden noted that a trade could involve other players to balance salaries, suggesting: • Devin Carter and Dario Šarić could be included, but this would still fall short financially. • Šarić’s contract ($5.4 million, expiring in 2025-26) could provide cap relief. • Including both Carter and Ellis seems unlikely due to Sacramento’s long-term investment in youth.
| Trade Possibilities | Financial Notes |
| Kuminga for Ellis + filler | Ellis on rookie deal, needs salary match |
| Kuminga for Šarić + Carter | Still short on salary balance |
| Multi-player deal w/ Ellis | Most feasible option, requires creative structuring |
Golden State Warriors’ Urgency to Move On from Kuminga
The growing consensus is that Kuminga has plateaued with the Warriors. While his talent is undeniable, the fit no longer makes sense for either party.“Completing a sign-and-trade that centers around Kuminga is logistically complex,” wrote Ogden. “The cap space created by this deal is reason enough to be intrigued by what could transpire moving forward.”Golden State’s offensive scheme thrives on floor spacing and ball movement—areas where Ellis could thrive more naturally than Kuminga, who relies more on athleticism and iso scoring.If the Golden State Warriors are serious about optimizing their roster around Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, adding a high-efficiency shooter like Ellis could be a savvy move. The Kings, meanwhile, would gain a talented and athletic forward in Kuminga who might flourish in a new system.Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: Chicago Bulls Predicted to land $163 million Sacramento Kings Star in Blockbuster Three-Team DealWith the offseason heating up and Kuminga’s departure seeming inevitable, it’s only a matter of time before the Warriors front office pulls the trigger on a deal. Whether that package includes Keon Ellis remains to be seen—but the idea is gaining traction.
