The Sacramento Kings are on the brink of trading Malik Monk and an unprotected first-round pick for Jonathan Kuminga in what would be the most disastrous move of the summer. Sam Vecenie and Bryce Simon discussed as much on the Game Theory podcast.
“I think the Warriors feel like they can play this game with the Kings where, to me, I look at a Malik Monk and a first-round pick offer, and that’s just more valuable than Kuminga,” Veceenie said. “I would rather have that. But if I’m the Warriors, I’m just thinking, why wouldn’t I just try to get every single thing from Scott Perry who, if he wants this guy—a lot of people around the league have real questions on how good Scott Perry is at this, frankly. We can have that conversation.
“Why wouldn’t I hold out and just continue to do this. And hold out for every single thing that I want? Why wouldn’t I hold out for Keon Ellis instead of Malik Monk?”
Why would Jonathan Kuminga be bad for Kings?
On the one hand, Kuminga could be great for Sacramento. He’s still 22 years old and has plenty of time to grow into the player he clearly believes he can become. But up to this point in his career, that progression hasn’t happened. And the Kings don’t have a roster built for a player like Kuminga.
Kuminga isn’t the best three-point shooter, and for all his athleticism and driving ability, his defensive acumen isn’t exactly elite. Placing him next to a non-floor-spacer like Domantas Sabonis isn’t ideal.
In fact, outside of Keegan Murray and Zach LaVine, the best floor-spacer in the Kings’ rotation right now is probably Malik Monk. At least, in terms of volume and diversity of three-point looks. But he would reportedly be included in the potential deal for Kuminga. Sacramento ditching any floor-spacing would be a rough idea when Sabonis is at the center of their offense.
Plus, if Kuminga is looking to leave Golden State in hopes of finding more touches, why would the Kings be an ideal landing spot? Sabonis, LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan are all fairly ball-dominant players. Of the bunch, only Sabonis is a pass-first guy, and he’s the hub of the Kings’ entire offensive scheme.
Trading an unprotected first-round pick for an unproven player is a wild idea, especially when that player’s fit with the current roster is questionable at best.
Yet Scott Perry and the Kings seem to be trending in that direction anyway.