The San Antonio Spurs might strengthen their young core by making a significant bid to acquire Jonathan Kuminga.
The San Antonio Spurs made their first win-now moves of the Victor Wembanyama era this summer, signing Chris Paul and adding Harrison Barnes to provide seasoned support for the generational French center. Both players will help the Spurs go forward, but they will not transform the club into a future contender. They still need to add more components that can flourish alongside Wembanyama to form a dynasty in the near future.
There are prospective deals for young talents across the NBA, with many stars from the 2021 NBA Draft Class being shopped because their home teams are unsure about the contracts they want to provide. Jonathan Kuminga is one such player, and the Spurs may easily convince the Warriors to part with Kuminga by making a large trade offer.
Trade Details
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Jonathan Kuminga
Golden State Warriors Receive: Keldon Johnson, 2027 First-Round Pick (ATL), 2028 First-Round Pick (SAS), 2025 Second-Round Pick (SAS)
This deal would bring a dynamic two-way wing next to Wembanyama for the long term, as Kuminga is only 21 years old. His two-way play would be a great fit for the Spurs, and the team’s culture may help him work through some of the supposed maturity issues that many have had with him in Golden State.
The Spurs Add A Future Star Into A Win-Now Program
With the veteran additions this season, the Spurs have demonstrated a desire to be a playoff-caliber team. As a result, the Spurs’ most obvious trade targets have been established young stars with uncertain futures, such as Darius Garland and Trae Young. Instead, we should aim to partner Wembanyama with a star who is still years away from peaking, allowing the team to continue growing its stars at their own pace.
Kuminga averaged 16.1 points and 4.8 rebounds last season, during which the forward was forced to publicly threaten the franchise in order to receive consistent minutes.
They’ve expressed a willingness to build with him, but Kuminga was reportedly included in both trade bids for Lauri Markkanen and Paul George, with the organization focusing on Brandin Podziemski as an untouchable prospect. If the Warriors acquire a win-now player such as Keldon Johnson while still acquiring numerous future choices, the team will appear solid.
The Spurs would field a formidable defensive lineup, with Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan starting with Wembanyama and Kuminga, and Chris Paul as point guard. This is a team that has the potential to compete for a top-six slot if Kuminga continues to develop at his age. Even if the results aren’t immediate, the Spurs have a few years to perfect their plan.
The Warriors Consolidate Assets To Re-Tool Around Stephen Curry
The Warriors have made a number of moves this offseason to compensate for their inability to make the playoffs last season and Klay Thompson’s departure. While a number of seasoned players have joined the club to replace Klay, the team is counting on young players like Podziemski to fill roles around Curry.
Keldon Johnson may thrive in that role, having averaged 15.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists last season after falling out of favor with Gregg Popovich. Johnson can do everything a coach asks of him, but he has inconsistencies that cause his play to fluctuate dramatically. However, he is a valuable addition to the organization, having received numerous first-round picks for a player in his fourth year who is still regarded inexperienced.
The Warriors face a major dilemma with Kuminga’s deal. He won’t have the latitude in Golden State to show off his skills the way Franz Wagner and Evan Mobley did to obtain max contracts, thus it’s in his best financial interest He is also interested in joining a team where he can play a larger role. The Spurs are exactly that, and they offer an excellent return package that the organization may use to make additional moves to reshape the squad around Stephen Curry.
What Grade Should This Trade Be?
The Spurs have little to complain about in this transaction. The picks they give up should not create concern for the franchise, since their own pick will likely indicate when Wembanyama is at his best. The Hawks’ pick may prove to be more valuable, but it’s the price to pay for a significant long-term upgrade on Keldon Johnson, a guy the franchise has already begun to phase out of its core.
The Spurs’ biggest risk here is that Kuminga has a pliable attitude and can tolerate being the franchise’s No. 2 prospect alongside Wembanyama. He may even take some time to unseal Devin Vassell inside the team’s hierarchy, which might generate problems both on and off the court. Even if this occurs, the team may quickly pivot in a different path because they will still be stocked with draft assets.
Given how the Warriors have safeguarded Kuminga during recent trade windows, many people may have a negative reaction to this deal. However, they are currently receiving a clear surplus of value in the form of two choices and a rotational NBA player for a high-potential prospect who has made modest development over the last four seasons. They’re paying a price that exceeds his ability, but it’s a bet on the value he can give as a rising star.
The Warriors might use this trade package to stockpile assets for when the next star becomes available. A star player becomes available in the NBA every season, as recent history has shown. These choices and the other young assets could be significant if the front staff treats them well, but this is a trade in which the Warriors are taking on a lot more risk because Stephen Curry is in his final years and blunders could jeopardize their prospects of competing with him before retirement.
