Despite experiencing a rough patch early on, the Golden State Warriors are starting to turn their season around.
The organization, which boasts a respectable 40-29 record, landed Jimmy Butler in a Feb. 5 multi-team deal that allowed them to retain most of their pivotal assets.
However, in free agency, the Portland Trail Blazers may snag the Warriors’ young star wing, Jonathan Kuminga, negatively impacting the Dubs’ roster.
“The Blazers turned around what seemed like a lost season,” Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus wrote last Friday.
“Now the squad has a puncher’s chance of making the play-in, playing spoiler for playoff-bound teams. Portland shouldn’t try to make too big a leap this offseason to try and contend.”
“Still, if the New Orleans Pelicans consider going in a different direction, given (Zion) Williamson’s durability, he’d be an incredible roll of the dice for the Blazers.”
“Perhaps a sign-and-trade to acquire Kuminga from the Warriors would be a worthy upside play, depending on his asking price.”
Kuminga has enjoyed a promising 2024-25 campaign with the Dubs.
Kuminga, who can beat defenders off the dribble with one or two decisive dribble moves, finish above the rim in transition, and compete defensively, continues to show why he’ll be an NBA All-Star in the future.
Unfortunately, on Jan. 4, Kuminga suffered a significant ankle sprain against the Memphis Grizzlies, forcing him to miss the rest of January, all of February, and the first two weeks of March.
The fourth-year pro, who returned to the hardwood on Mar. 13, averages 16.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per contest this year, shooting 45.5% from the field and 33,1% from downtown in 36 games.
For the Warriors to conduct business with the Trail Blazers this summer, they would likely have to receive a valuable asset like Deandre Ayton or Robert Williams III in exchange for Kuminga.
It’ll be interesting to see how Golden State approaches free agency, with Kuminga being a legitimate sign-and-trade option for several franchises.
