NBA Trade Rumors: Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga Proposal May Force Pelicans to Split Young Core to Part Ways with $112 Million Versatile Wing

NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden State Warriors - Source: Imagn
The Golden State Warriors trading Jonathan Kuminga could potentially split the Pelicans' young core (Image Source: IMAGN)

There have been trade rumors around the Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga. The two-year, $48 million contract that Kuminga signed before the start of the 2025-26 NBA season isn't enough to convince people that he'll remain with the team. Particularly after the young forward registered a DNP on Dec. 7 against the Chicago Bulls.

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One of the teams linked to Golden State was the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans are at the bottom of the Western Conference with a 4-22 record. With that trend, there's a chance the team could be a seller in the upcoming NBA trade deadline.

The Pelicans' Trey Murphy III has been linked to Golden State. The Athletic's Sam Amick wrote that the team has been open to acquiring Murphy. The 6-foot-8 forward is in the first year of his four-year, $112 million contract.

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"For quite some time now, the Warriors have been open about their desire to acquire the Pelicans’ Trey Murphy III," Amick wrote. "But if they’re going to use Kuminga to do that, then it would be helpful to know how, if at all, the Pelicans value the Warriors’ 23-year-old forward."

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This would mean that New Orleans' young core with Herbert Jones and Murphy could get split. Amick wrote that the two are likely ot be available for separate potential deals.

"For the Pelicans’ purposes, the Warriors’ interest in Murphy underscores the potential impact they’ll have on the trade season league-wide... players like Murphy and Herbert Jones are expected to draw major interest from contending teams."
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So far, there hasn't been any report about what a deal from Golden State looks like.


ESPN suggested that the Warriors should trade for Anthony Davis

Golden State has tried to be competitive this season. However, the team needs improvement to compete for the NBA championship. According to ESPN, the West team should try to pursue Dallas Mavericks big man Anthony Davis in the trade market.

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They proposed a four-team deal that will also get the LA Lakers and the Charlotte Hornets involved. In their proposal, the Warriors will receive Davis and Mason Plumlee, solving their undersized frontcourt. The Lakers will receive Buddy Hield from Golden State.

The Mavericks, on the other hand, will acquire Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga and a 2026 first-round pick from Golden State. Lastly, the Hornets will land Dalton Knecht, Maxi Kleber and cash considerations.

It's a surprising trade proposal. However, it solves the team's need for a bigger frontcourt lineup and takes the Kuminga problem off their hands. Unfortunately for Golden State, they'll have to give up Green to do this trade.

Warriors Nation! You can check out the latest Golden State Warriors Schedule and dive into the Warriors Depth Chart for NBA Season 2024-25.

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Edited by Reign Amurao
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