It seems the Golden State Warriors will swap Jonathan Kuminga for Sacramento Kings’ DeMar DeRozan, in what’s shaping up to be one of the most discussed potential trades of the 2025 NBA offseason. While nothing has been made official yet, multiple league sources have suggested that talks have intensified behind the scenes, with both teams feeling a growing sense of urgency to reshape their rosters. On the surface, the deal represents a fascinating blend of styles, timelines, and ambitions. The Warriors, still clinging to the twilight years of their championship window, are reportedly ready to lean into experience and proven scoring, whereas the Kings seem eager to invest in youth and long-term potential by acquiring a player who still hasn’t scratched the surface of what he could become in Jonathan Kuminga.
For the Warriors, moving off Kuminga is not something they take lightly. The 21-year-old forward was one of the few bright spots during a tumultuous 2024-25 campaign. He posted career highs across the board, particularly shining in stretches when Steph Curry was sidelined. His athleticism, ability to guard multiple positions, and growing offensive game made him a tantalizing piece for Golden State’s future. However, despite his obvious upside, Kuminga still faced limitations within the Warriors’ system, which demands high basketball IQ, quick decision-making, and a comfort level with off-ball motion and spacing. While he improved in all these areas, some within the organization reportedly questioned whether he would ever truly thrive in the read-and-react style that Steve Kerr employs. In the playoffs, when rotations tighten and IQ becomes paramount, the Warriors appeared reluctant to fully unleash Kuminga, which spoke volumes.
DeMar DeRozan, on the other hand, represents the antithesis of uncertainty. A six-time All-Star and perennial midrange assassin, DeRozan has remade his game in recent years into one of the most reliable half-court scorers in the NBA. After being traded to the Kings in the summer of 2024, he immediately became a stabilizing force in Sacramento’s offense, giving them a go-to presence late in games and taking some pressure off De’Aaron Fox. His ability to score in isolation, get to the free-throw line, and operate as a secondary playmaker made him a fan favorite and a coach’s dream. However, with the Kings coming off a disappointing first-round exit and facing long-term salary cap considerations, team president Monte McNair is reportedly weighing the value of pivoting toward a younger core centered around Fox and Domantas Sabonis. With Keegan Murray blossoming and Malik Monk re-signed to a sizable extension, there may not be enough ball to go around if DeRozan continues to play his high-usage brand of basketball. That, combined with his age—he’ll turn 36 during the upcoming season—has made Sacramento at least receptive to the idea of turning the page.
The potential trade raises big philosophical questions for both teams. For Golden State, bringing in DeRozan would be a declaration that they are going all-in on one final title run with the remnants of their championship trio. Steph Curry, now 37, is still playing at an All-NBA level but needs help, especially from someone who can create his own shot and relieve him of late-game responsibilities. Klay Thompson is gone, having left in free agency to join the Orlando Magic, and while the Warriors brought in some additional shooting and wing depth, they remain in dire need of a secondary scorer who can reliably create offense in crunch time. DeRozan, while not a floor-spacer in the traditional sense, brings exactly that. His presence would allow Curry to play more off-ball, which historically has been devastating for opponents. Add in Draymond Green’s playmaking and the Warriors might have just enough juice left to make one last run at contention.
However, there are also legitimate concerns. DeRozan is not a good three-point shooter, and spacing issues could become a problem, especially in lineups that include Draymond and Kevon Looney. Golden State’s offense has always thrived on movement, floor balance, and outside shooting. Integrating a player who thrives in iso and lives in the midrange could pose schematic challenges. Will Steve Kerr be able to adapt his system to accommodate DeRozan, or will he expect DeRozan to adjust to the Warriors’ style? That question could determine whether the trade ends up being a masterstroke or a costly miscalculation.
Then there’s the question of defense. Kuminga, while still learning the intricacies of NBA defense, is a capable, switchable defender who often took on difficult assignments. He could guard wings, some guards, and even stretch forwards. DeRozan, by contrast, has long been considered a below-average defender. He’s never been known for his on-ball tenacity or help-side instincts, and at his age, there’s not much reason to believe he’ll suddenly improve. In a playoff series, those limitations can be exploited, particularly by teams with multiple perimeter threats. That said, Kerr has a history of hiding defensive liabilities within his system—he did it for years with Steph and even Klay post-injury—but doing so becomes harder without younger, quicker defenders like Kuminga on the roster.
For the Kings, the move would be a partial reset. Trading away DeRozan for Kuminga might be seen as a step back in the short term, but it could pay massive dividends down the line. Kuminga is still on a relatively cheap contract, and if he continues to develop, he could form a deadly trio alongside Fox and Sabonis. The Kings have long desired a more athletic, defensively-minded wing to pair with their offensive stars, and Kuminga fits that mold. He doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective, runs the floor well in transition, and can finish at the rim with authority. More importantly, he brings a level of physicality and intensity on defense that Sacramento has lacked for years. In the Western Conference gauntlet, where wings like Brandon Ingram, Anthony Edwards, and Luka Doncic loom, having a player like Kuminga becomes even more valuable.
Still, some Kings fans will likely see the trade as a betrayal of sorts. DeRozan gave Sacramento a level of legitimacy and competitiveness they hadn’t enjoyed since the early 2000s. His leadership in the locker room was frequently praised, and his late-game heroics kept them afloat in several tough matchups. Letting him go, especially after a single season, might feel like giving up too soon on a winning formula. Yet, for a franchise that has long struggled to strike a balance between competing and building for the future, this could be a rare opportunity to have it both ways. If Kuminga pans out, he could be a foundational piece for a decade.
The financial aspect also plays a role in the calculus. DeRozan is on a two-year, \$54 million deal with a player option in the second year. If the Kings wait too long, they risk him walking for nothing next summer. Kuminga, by contrast, is on the final year of his rookie deal, with a team option and then potential restricted free agency. This gives the Kings more control and more time to assess his long-term value without breaking the bank. In an NBA climate where luxury tax thresholds and second-apron penalties are increasingly punitive, having cost-controlled assets like Kuminga is invaluable.
One interesting subplot is how the trade might affect the psyche and chemistry of both teams. The Warriors, already a tightly knit veteran group, may welcome DeRozan’s calm demeanor and professionalism, especially given his close relationship with several players around the league. But there’s also a risk that removing a beloved younger player like Kuminga could unsettle the locker room. Several Warriors veterans have spoken highly of Kuminga’s growth and work ethic. For the Kings, bringing in a player like Kuminga could energize a fan base that’s hungry for long-term success but also test the patience of a team that thought it was ready to win now.
The broader Western Conference picture adds even more intrigue. Teams like the Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Thunder are all expected to remain strong, while the Lakers and Clippers continue to chase relevance with aging cores. In that context, both the Warriors and Kings have to ask themselves: are we better positioned for the next two years or the next ten? This trade, if it goes through, might answer that question for both.
In the end, no trade is without risk. The Warriors could find that DeRozan’s style doesn’t mesh with theirs and regret giving up on Kuminga just as he blossoms into a star. The Kings could watch DeRozan thrive in Golden State’s system and kick themselves for moving off a sure thing. But the NBA is a league built on bold moves, on calculated gambles that can swing the fate of a franchise. This deal, hypothetical as it may be, has all the hallmarks of one that could be looked back on as either the final stroke of brilliance for a fading dynasty or the first spark of a rising one. Either way, the league will be watching closely.
