As the NBA offseason drags on into September 2025, one of the lingering storylines is the contract standoff between the Golden State Warriors and their restricted free agent, Jonathan Kuminga. The young forward, selected No. 7 overall in the 2021 draft, has been a hot trade target, with the Phoenix Suns emerging as a persistent suitor. But with training camps looming just weeks away, does Phoenix still have a realistic shot at prying Kuminga away from Golden State? In this analysis, we’ll dive into the latest developments, proposed trades, and why this deal feels like a long shot—yet not entirely impossible. Buckle up, Suns fans; this could reshape your team’s future around Devin Booker.
Jan 31, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles past Phoenix Suns forward Royce O’Neale (00) in the second quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
The Current Standoff: Kuminga’s Contract Drama
At the heart of this saga is Kuminga’s dissatisfaction with Golden State’s extension offers. Reports indicate he’s turned down three separate proposals, primarily because they lack player options—those coveted clauses that give athletes more control over their future. Without them, Kuminga might opt for a one-year qualifying offer worth about $8 million, betting on himself to boost his value in the 2025-26 season before hitting unrestricted free agency.
This prolonged negotiation has created urgency for the Warriors. With the regular season tipping off next month, Golden State can’t afford to let this fester into training camp distractions. Steve Kerr’s squad is already navigating a post-Klay Thompson era, relying on young talents like Kuminga to complement Stephen Curry’s twilight years. If talks collapse, a trade becomes more plausible, opening the door for teams like Phoenix and the Sacramento Kings, who’ve been circling for months.
For the Suns, Kuminga represents a dream addition. At 22, he’s a athletic forward with star potential—averaging 16.1 points and 4.8 rebounds last season while shooting 52.9% from the field. He’d slot in as an immediate starter, injecting youth and athleticism into a roster that’s pivoting toward a “youth movement” around Devin Booker (now in his prime at 28). Phoenix has been aggressive in rebuilding after their Kevin Durant experiment, trading aging pieces for upside. But their current offer? It’s underwhelming, to say the least.
Phoenix has reportedly dangled Royce O’Neale, a veteran wing who’s the oldest player on their roster at 32, along with multiple second-round picks and a lucrative four-year extension nearing $90 million. O’Neale is a solid 3-and-D contributor, but he’s on an expiring contract and doesn’t fit the Suns’ new timeline focused on players under 30. Similarly, they’ve included Nick Richards in some discussions—a backup center who’s now buried in a crowded big-man rotation behind Jusuf Nurkic and younger options like Drew Eubanks. These pieces scream “salary filler” more than “must-have assets,” and Golden State has flat-out rejected them. Why? The Warriors aren’t desperate enough yet to settle for scraps when they could potentially retain Kuminga or flip him for better value elsewhere.
Bleacher Report’s Proposed Trade: A Creative But Flawed Solution
Enter Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, who recently floated a mock trade that could bridge the gap. In his scenario, it’s a sign-and-trade deal where:
Suns receive: Jonathan Kuminga and Trayce Jackson-Davis (a promising young center who’s shown flashes in Golden State’s rotation).Warriors receive: Royce O’Neale, Nick Richards, three second-round picks (2026: the second-highest from Dallas, OKC, or Philly; 2029: Suns’ own; 2032: lower of Suns’ or Houston’s), and $5 million in cash.
Kuminga’s new contract in this setup? A four-year, $81.7 million deal starting at $19 million in 2025-26, with a player option in the final year—addressing his key demand. This keeps Phoenix under the first-apron hard cap by a slim $680,000 margin, while Golden State navigates their own apron issues by using part of their taxpayer mid-level exception for potential signings like Al Horford, Seth Curry, De’Anthony Melton, or Gary Payton II.
On paper, it’s intriguing. For Phoenix, adding Kuminga and Jackson-Davis accelerates their youth infusion without surrendering first-round picks—a luxury they can’t afford after mortgaging their future for Durant and Bradley Beal. Kuminga could thrive next to Booker, providing slashing, defense, and transition scoring that the Suns sorely lacked last season. Jackson-Davis, meanwhile, adds depth at center, potentially outperforming Richards in the long run.
But Pincus himself highlights the hurdles. First, Golden State might not see Richards as an upgrade over Jackson-Davis; Richards is a serviceable rim protector, but Jackson-Davis has higher upside and fits the Warriors’ small-ball schemes better. Second, the absence of first-round compensation is a deal-breaker—especially when compared to what the Kings could offer, like Malik Monk or Buddy Hield in a package with more immediate impact. O’Neale and Richards have shorter contracts, which could appeal to Golden State’s cap flexibility, but it’s a lateral move at best.
Then there’s the bigger picture: The Warriors aren’t ready to give up on Kuminga. They’ve invested three years in his development, watching him evolve from a raw prospect into a key rotation piece. Trading him now, before fully evaluating his fit in a Curry-led contender, feels premature. Unless negotiations completely implode, Golden State might prefer to ride out the qualifying offer and reassess mid-season.
Why Phoenix’s Pursuit Feels Like a Long Shot
Digging deeper, the Suns’ asset cupboard is barren. They’ve traded away most of their first-round picks through 2031, leaving second-rounders and mid-tier players as their primary bait. O’Neale and Richards are trade candidates for good reason—they don’t align with Phoenix’s shift toward youth and athleticism. But for a talent like Kuminga, who’s drawn interest from multiple teams, it’s not enough to move the needle.
Comparatively, the Kings have more enticing pieces: Younger wings, better shooters, and perhaps even a protected first-rounder. Sacramento’s ongoing links to Kuminga suggest they’re the frontrunners if a trade materializes. Phoenix’s edge? Their willingness to offer a max-level extension that Golden State has balked at. But without sweetening the pot—maybe by including another young player like Nassir Little or finding a third team to facilitate—it’s hard to envision the Warriors biting.
That said, stranger things have happened in the NBA. If Kuminga digs in his heels and signs the qualifying offer, he becomes a flight risk next summer, forcing Golden State’s hand. Phoenix, desperate to contend while Booker’s window is open, might pounce.
Final Verdict: Unlikely, But Keep an Eye Out
In conclusion, the Phoenix Suns’ chances of landing Jonathan Kuminga remain slim based on their current package and Golden State’s reluctance. The Bleacher Report proposal offers a creative workaround, but it hinges on too many “ifs”—from contract concessions to asset valuations. For Suns fans, this is a tantalizing “what if” that could supercharge their rebuild, but reality points to Kuminga staying put or heading elsewhere, like Sacramento.
As the season approaches, all eyes are on these negotiations. Will the Warriors blink first? Or will Phoenix pull off a surprise?