The Sacramento Kings didn't shake things up too much on Wednesday during the first night of the NBA draft. Although a lot of reporting said they'd attempt to work their way up, they instead took the 24th pick and went home with Nique Clifford out of Colorado State.
That doesn't mean the offseason is over for the Kings. In fact, things could just be getting started. Now, all fans are paying close attention to any trades or acquisitions they make. As luck would have it, Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors is once again being tied to the Kings' plans, but they may miss the chance to get him.
Kuminga makes it clear: he wants to lead a team now
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Kings have interest in Kuminga, which is something that has been mentioned in the past. But now that the offseason has started, the Kings have to take this idea seriously, pick up the phone, and call the Warriors.
This is even more true after a recent interview with Kuminga, when he said that he's intent on getting to his next level as a player and has a strong desire to lead a team. Speaking with Anthony Slater, he said he wants to be the first option for a franchise and is eager to reach his potential. Sadly, he is limited in Golden State and probably will be for some time. So, it makes sense for him to leave and start a new chapter with a different team. Could that team be the Kings?
Spent time with Jonathan Kuminga in Cleveland. He wants a chance to be a featured scorer/creator.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) June 25, 2025
“It don’t matter if it’s the Warriors or anywhere else, it’s something I want. I want to see what I could do. I know I got it. So I want to really see.”https://t.co/5qz94R4rrE
That seems unlikely. In his piece, Amick stated that he doesn't believe Kuminga will ultimately end up in Sacramento. That is too bad because he is the exact sort of player to build around. He is young, has a lot to prove, and plays both wing positions.
Sacramento's new general manager, Scott Perry, is intent on turning a corner and pivoting this team into its next phase. Kuminga could be a promising part of those plans. Sadly, competition will be tough for him if he leaves the Warriors. After all, there is a chance he returns to Golden State, even though they don't use him as much as he would like.
Fans are nervous because the offseason hasn't been kind to the Kings so far. They want to see some action, and they want to see it quickly. Kuminga's latest comments make him even more attractive for teams looking for a fast rebuild. Unfortunately, it sounds like the Kings may miss out on him. But Scott Perry should move forward looking for someone like Kuminga, because opportunities like this don't always present themselves.