Could Kuminga be the Warriors' ticket to Butler?
The relationship between the Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga seems to be fraying. With the Warriors likely needing one or two more key players to seriously contend for the NBA title, recent reports suggest they might already have a trade candidate in mind.
Sam Amick from The Athletic noted that Jimmy Butler has been on the Warriors’ radar for years.
Amick reported that the Warriors are “more willing than ever” to move Jonathan Kuminga, suggesting that Butler could emerge as a central figure in a potential trade involving Kuminga.
“The end certainly justified the means — two Warriors wins during a 4-1 start — but it also served as a reminder that Kuminga would probably be better off elsewhere.”
“To be fair, Kuminga played more minutes and was more productive in those two Pelicans games than he had in the previous three (28 and 27 minutes, respectively; 17 and 16 points).
“Yet while rival executives believe the Warriors are more willing than ever to include Kuminga in a trade of significant magnitude, the fact remains that they’re setting their sights very high in terms of possible targets,” Amick wrote on November 1.
“One name to monitor is Jimmy Butler, the 35-year-old Miami Heat star who league sources say drew interest from the Warriors during the offseason and who did not come to terms on an extension. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent next summer.”
Butler, now 35, is nearing the end of a three-year, $146.3 million deal with the Miami Heat. Since joining the team, he’s led them to two Finals appearances and earned six All-Star nods, averaging 21.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game while shooting 49.5% under coach Erik Spoelstra.
However, with no championships to show during Jimmy Butler’s time and a first-round playoff exit last season, Miami seems to be rethinking its future with him. Their decision not to extend his contract this summer has only fueled speculation that a split might be imminent.
To avoid losing Butler for nothing when he becomes a free agent next summer, the Heat need to start considering trades now. The Warriors are well-positioned to make an attractive offer.
With players like Andrew Wiggins, Brandin Podziemski, Gary Payton, and De’Anthony Melton, the Warriors can absorb Butler’s salary without parting with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Buddy Hield, or Jonathan Kuminga.
As one of the top two-way forwards in the league, Butler would instantly elevate the Warriors’ potential. Though he may not score at Kevin Durant’s level, Butler brings significant versatility on both ends as a 6’6″ swingman with 13 years of experience.
Anthony Slater of The Athletic reported that Kuminga was “aiming for” an average annual salary of $35 million in a new deal, while the Warriors were only willing to offer “around $30 million.”
The two sides failed to reach an agreement by the October 21 deadline, which means Kuminga will enter restricted free agency in the 2025 offseason.
While the Warriors can match any offer Kuminga receives, the uncertainty about his future with the team might make them more inclined to include him in trade talks before the February 6 deadline.
Image Credit: Imagn Images (David Gonzales, Sam Navarro)
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