There have been plenty of rumors about a possible Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors trade focused around Jonathan Kuminga. Although Kuminga would instantly improve Sacramento's forward depth, the idea of including Keegan Murray in a possible deal is risky. In fact, NBA insider Sam Vecenie recently claimed that Murray may be the better player right now, via Game Theory Podcast w/ Sam Vecenie.
"Keegan Murray, I think, is a better basketball player than Jonathan Kuminga right now," Vecenie said. "And I don't know if he's getting treated that way, not by the Kings, I think the Kings really value Keegan Murray to be clear. I mean more in the public sphere."
Murray, 25, is a small and power forward who averaged 12.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per outing during the 2024-25 NBA season. The campaign represented his third year in the NBA.
There seems to be a narrative that acquiring Kuminga would take the Kings to the next level. However, Murray plays a fairly similar role to Kuminga and he has made an important impact.
Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game last season. He can also play small or power forward. Both Kuminga and Murray are 6'8".
The argument can be made that Kuminga features a higher ceiling. Murray has three seasons in the league and is already 25, while Kuminga is only 22 and is set to enter his fifth NBA season.
When it comes to two-way impact, though, Murray is arguably the better player right now. He's a respectable defender who makes plays on both sides of the ball. Kuminga can also play on both ends of the floor, but Murray's overall impact cannot be denied.
With training camp beginning soon, a Kuminga trade may not come to fruition this offseason. Perhaps trade talks will heat up before the deadline in February. The Kings need to think carefully about the situation before potentially going all in on a Kuminga trade, though. Murray is a good player who could play a role in Sacramento for years to come.
Kuminga's future with the Warriors is in question, however. The Kings, among other teams, will likely inquire about his trade availability at some point in the future. Golden State would probably love to keep Kuminga if possible, but trading him may emerge as the best option if they struggle to find a consistent role for him.