If the Sacramento Kings truly want to acquire Jonathan Kuminga, then they must be prepared for significant change. Adding Kuminga would require Sacramento to not only trade valued assets, but adjust the hierarchy within which shots are distributed—thus potentially alienating several veterans.
It's an unfortunate truth to consider, but following a four-year tenure with the Golden State Warriors during which Kuminga felt undervalued, there would be minimal margin for error in his incorporation.
Sacramento's interest in completing a sign-and-trade for Kuminga is well-documented. The two sides have been linked throughout the 2025 offseason, with a deal seemingly only blocked by the Golden State Warriors' refusal to accept the offered package.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Kings continue to express their desire to acquire Kuminga and believe the interest is mutual.
"Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns remain the two suitors in play, though league and team sources say a deal with either team is highly unlikely unless something significant changes regarding the respective offers. Team sources say the Kings are under the impression that Kuminga does, in fact, want to play for them."
Unfortunately for the Kings, it appears as though acquiring Kuminga will require parting with more than they're willing to give up—and that's only part of the challenge they face.
Kings must alter trade offer and on-court strategy for Jonathan Kuminga
Suppose the Kings succeed in appealing to the Warriors and complete a sign-and-trade for Kuminga. In that scenario, the task at hand would be building an offense around no fewer than three wing scorers searching for significant touches in DeMar DeRozan, Kuminga, and Zach LaVine.
Sacramento would also need to factor in All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis, productive scoring guard Dennis Schröder, and some combination of Keon Ellis, Malik Monk, and Kris Murray.
It's unlikely that all of Ellis, Monk, and Murray would still be on the roster, as the Warriors would likely ask for one of the younger two players in a sign-and-trade. Even if one were removed from this equation, however, the Kings would face quite a dilemma in terms of building an offense that appeases all contributors.
That's an even more daunting task to take on when one considers that there wouldn't be a clear-cut No. 1 to begin establishing the hierarchy with.
Furthermore, the likes of DeRozan, Kuminga, LaVine, Monk, and Schröder are all relatively ball-dominant players. They're at their best when they're operating in some semblance of an ISO set, and there are only so many possessions to go around in that regard.
Spacing the floor could also become an extraordinary challenge with several players who aren't exactly known for their catch-and-shoot proficiency.
Compounded by the fact that the Warriors are asking for more than Monk and a first-round draft pick, trading for Kuminga would complicate the Kings' vision. They'll likely need to part with at least one of Ellis or Murray, and trading one of the veterans they'd likely struggle to play alongside Kuminga would be no easy feat.
It's entirely understandable for the Kings to be interested in acquiring a proven scorer who's still just 22 years of age, but the logistics of a deal for Kuminga are far more complicated than anticipated.