Kings eye Kuminga, may trade Monk in bold move

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Will the Sacramento Kings part ways with Malik Monk?

According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, the Kings offered Monk in a sign-and-trade proposal aimed at acquiring Jonathan Kuminga from the Golden State Warriors.

Monk would be the centerpiece of a package that includes a lottery-protected 2030 first-round pick to complete Kuminga’s proposed three-year, USD63 million deal.

However, talks reportedly stalled when Golden State pushed for the 2030 pick to be unprotected.

Last week, multiple reports confirmed Kuminga declined a two-year, USD45 million extension from the Warriors and is exploring other opportunities.

Still, the 21-year-old forward hasn’t ruled out re-signing with Golden State if a more lucrative offer comes through.

Kuminga’s playing time dipped last season following the arrival of superstar Jimmy Butler, who took over his starting role.

Butler joined the Warriors in a blockbuster five-team trade that sent Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and a 2025 first-round pick out of Golden State.

Kuminga remained productive in his limited starts, averaging 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across 10 games in the regular season.

The Warriors had begun integrating him into key offensive sets, but Butler’s arrival relegated Kuminga to a bench role as a high-energy defender.

His minutes further declined in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, where he played just 18 minutes over three games against the Houston Rockets.

He bounced back in the West semifinals, showing flashes of star potential with scoring outings of 18, 30, 23, and 26 points in games two through five against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Despite his efforts, the Stephen Curry-less Warriors fell short.

Should Kuminga land in Sacramento, he would join an offense-heavy roster featuring DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Monk, and Domantas Sabonis.