The Phoenix Suns reportedly pursued Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga with considerable intensity over the summer, during a period marked by a prolonged contract dispute. However, recent insights from Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro suggest that the Suns’ interest in Kuminga has diminished significantly since then.
Once trade-eligible on January 15, Kuminga is expected to be a topic of discussion for the Warriors regarding potential deals, with the Suns and Sacramento Kings identified as interested teams, according to NBC Sports Bay Area reporter Dalton Johnson. Gambadoro pointed out that the Suns’ initial enthusiasm stemmed from the prospect of acquiring Kuminga under a favorable four-year contract, which has since been rendered less attractive after Kuminga signed a two-year, $46.8 million deal with Golden State.
The revised terms of Kuminga’s contract change the dynamics for the Suns. “Now that he signed with the Warriors, after this season it is basically a one-year deal,” Gambadoro explained. With an opportunity to secure a more lucrative contract in 2027, the Suns may hesitate to commit to a deal, especially as they would no longer benefit from the longer-term stability that a four-year contract would have provided.
During the summer, a bidding war for Kuminga involving Phoenix and Sacramento reportedly climbed as high as $90 million over four years, including a player option for the fourth year. Such a move would have required the Suns to part ways with players like Grayson Allen and/or Royce O’Neale, further complicating the potential deal.
As for Kuminga’s current performance, he has participated in 17 of the Warriors’ 25 games this season, starting in 13 and averaging 12.4 points, along with career bests in rebounding (6.3) and assists (2.6), shooting 43.2% from the field and 32% from beyond the arc. He was a healthy scratch in the Warriors’ last game, with head coach Steve Kerr rotating his lineup due to on-court strategy. However, Kerr expressed a positive sentiment regarding Kuminga’s effort in practice, stating how pleased he was with his player’s response to coaching.
The Warriors are scheduled to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, presenting another opportunity for Kuminga to showcase his skills. As the season unfolds, it will be interesting to see how trade discussions develop and what role Kuminga will play in Golden State’s future plans.