As the Jonathan Kuminga saga with the Golden State Warriors prepares to heat up again, the Sacramento Kings are expected to be part of it. But there are other Warriors the Kings should be focused on, such as breakout star Pat Spencer, who has the grit and grind Sacramento needs.
One of the big stories from the 2025 offseason was the ongoing contract issues between Kuminga and the Warriors. While money was a factor, it was more about respect. Kuminga wanted a bigger role, and Steve Kerr didn't want to give it to him. He still doesn't, judging by Kuminga's minutes.
It's a safe bet that Kerr has no interest in working with Kuminga, something that has been evident for a year or more. Signing Kuminga to a two-year deal was just a move by the Warriors' front office to buy themselves time to work a better trade out. A qualifying deal scenario was getting too close.
That's how the Kings ended up in the mix. When a trade was in the wind over the offseason, Sacramento was rumored to be Kuminga's preferred landing spot. Now that Kuminga is likely on the trade market again, the Kings are expected to get back in the conversation. But should they be?
Pat Spencer is the better option for the Kings
There have long been questions about why the Kings were going after Kuminga, and how he would fit into the roster. Those questions have only gotten louder with a massive rebuild of the roster reputedly on the way. If the Kings want a Warrior on their team, they should be looking at Pat Spencer.
The collegiate lacrosse legend turned basketball player has become a fan favorite across the NBA. During a recent spate of injuries on the Warriors, Pat stepped from the bench to the starting lineup and went to work. He took charge of a team that should have been in shambles and got wins.
Spencer has the skills to play in the NBA, but also a special kind of grit and determination that cannot be taught. The man has zero fear. And given his lacrosse background, any opposing players had better not cross him. Pat is about as tough a man as you'll find in the NBA.
The Kings need a guy like Pat Spencer more than they need someone like Jonathan Kuminga. They already have that kind of player in Keon Ellis and Keegan Murray. With Spencer on a two-way contract that is up at the end of the season, there's an opportunity there that the Kings cannot ignore.