SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 25: Malik Beasley #5 of the Utah Jazz drives toward the basket on Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on November 25, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz would be fools to trade anything for Jonathan Kuminga
The Utah Jazz should not even think about trading for Jonathan Kuminga.
The Utah Jazz have a great young core. Sure, maybe some pieces won’t be around long-term or will be flipped for more sustainable pieces, but the core they have is really exciting and the potential is endless. Part of the reason that the potential is endless, however, is because the talent the Jazz have is coupled with an influx of first-round picks.
The combination of the two has the Jazz set up to be a long-time threat in the Western Conference, and part of the reason for this is that they’re firstly, hoarding their picks, and secondly, not giving up capital for fringe players.
The team has a few guys who may go one way or another, but they didn’t give up valuable capital to get their services. So seeing NBA Analysis talk about trading assets to the Golden State Warriors for Jonathan Kuminga, has made many wonder if this is a joke.
Why would anyone think Kuminga is worth a first-rounder? The Warriors gave up James Wiseman for Gary Payton Jr. If Wiseman didn’t fetch a first, why would Kuminga?
After all, even the Golden State Warriors faithful are not in on Kuminga.
So how bad is the proposed trade? Well, here is what NBA Analysis suggested;
Golden State Warriors Receive: F/C Kelly Olynyk, 2025 First-Round Pick (MIN via UTA)
Utah Jazz Receive: F Jonathan Kuminga
So, the author of this piece thinks that Kuminga, who will likely be dealt for a second-round pick eventually, just like Wiseman, is worth NBA starter Kelly Olynyk, and a more than likely lottery pick that is tied to the Minnesota Timberwolves?
And all the Jazz get back is Kuminga; an undersized power forward, and a limited skillset small forward, who doesn’t address the team’s immediate issues at point guard?
This is a bad trade idea, and it would be an even worse trade to see go through. Kuminga isn’t starting in Golden State, and he isn’t going to start in Utah. Why trade a first and a trade chip in Olynyk for a backup?
It makes no sense.
