Before the start of the 2024-25 season, Jonathan Kuminga’s future with the Warriors was uncertain as he was unable to secure a contract extension with the team. This uncertainty deepened as the season progressed, particularly after the first quarter. In the initial 17 games of the 2024-25 NBA season, Kuminga ranked fourth on the Warriors in scoring (13.3 points per game), sixth in minutes played (22.7), and fourth in field goal attempts (10.9).
These figures represent a significant decline compared to the previous season, when the Congolese player averaged 17.4 points after the All-Star break and was often the team’s third offensive option. Rumors circulating in the league suggest that Kuminga might be traded before the February 6, 2025 trade deadline. In light of this speculation, Stephen Noh of Sporting News proposed a potential trade sending Kuminga and De’Anthony Melton to the Raptors in exchange for the relatively low-profile big man Jakob Poeltl.
Warriors Would Receive:
Poeltl
Raptors Would Receive:
Kuminga,
Melton Noh noted on November 22 that given the Warriors’ strong performance, they should be careful about who they bring in if they decide to trade Kuminga. Melton is out for the season due to an ACL injury but could be packaged with Kuminga to acquire a player with a $20 million salary, such as Poeltl from the Raptors or Nikola Vucevic from the Bulls.
Jakob Poeltl A Good Fit for Warriors?
The writer suggested that trading for Poeltl would be simpler for the Warriors than going after a player with a more complicated contract like Jimmy Butler. “The Warriors could pursue a star like Jimmy Butler, but that would require trading Andrew Wiggins along with several other veterans to make the financials work. They would also need to include future draft picks, of which they have two available.
While the Warriors have options, they need to act before the trade deadline. Kuminga’s value is likely to keep decreasing if Coach Kerr continues to limit his playing time, and this team is too talented to wait for his development any longer.” Tye Hooker from The Lead also noted that Poeltl, who is having a career-best season with averages of 16.2 points and 12.2 rebounds in the 2024-25 campaign, would be an ideal addition to the Golden State roster.
Matter of Time Till Warriors Trade Kuminga?
“Although the Raptors are likely to demand a steep price for him, Poeltl could offer the Warriors valuable height and floor spacing in their lineup,” Hooker noted on November 24. “If the Warriors are looking to elevate their roster with a solid big man, acquiring Jakob Poeltl might be the right decision.” Regarding Kuminga’s decreasing role on the team, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported on November 1 that it is highly anticipated he will be traded before the February 6, 2025 trade deadline. “While rival executives think the Warriors are increasingly open to including Kuminga in a significant trade, they remain focused on pursuing high-profile targets,” Amick stated..
“One player to keep an eye on is Jimmy Butler, the 35-year-old star from the Miami Heat. According to league sources, the Warriors showed interest in him during the offseason, and he did not reach an extension agreement. Butler will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.”
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