The Golden State Warriors continue to watch NBA free agency from the sidelines. There has yet to be a resolution with the Jonathan Kuminga drama, and all reports indicate that the Warriors aren’t interested in a sign-and-trade with the Sacramento Kings.
This is tough because the Kings are the only team to make a significant trade offer for Kuminga. Right now, it sounds like the best available Kuminga trade offer is Malik Monk and a protected first-round pick. Many believe that the protections on the Kings’ draft pick is what is holding up the deal.
However, a report from one Warriors’ insider on Monday refuted that Warriors rumor.
The Athletic’s Sam Amick revealed what was really holding up the Kings-Kuminga trade.
“Anyone saying the first-round pick protections are the only obstacle to a Kings-Warriors sign-and-trade is wrong, as I’m told Golden State really doesn’t want to move either Buddy Hield or Moses Moody (which would be required). And yes, as @timkawakami reported, the Warriors are indeed signaling that they expect Kuminga to be on their roster next season. That being said, nearly two months remains before his qualifying offer deadline (Oct. 1). Plenty of time for something to change here.”
Not wanting to trade Hield or Moody makes sense. They both had awesome seasons for the Warriors last year. They are also on team-friendly contracts. That being said, if the Warriors were to trade for Malik Monk, one of those two players becomes somewhat expendable. Especially Hield, who, despite winning over the hearts of Warriors fans last season, is still a defensive liability who scores inconsistently.
If the Warriors were to trade for Monk in a Kuminga sign and trade, getting rid of Hield wouldn’t be a bad price to pay. Monk is a better version of Hield, who is a bit more reliable defensively.
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Maybe the Warriors need to rethink their loyalties. Hield should definitely not be considered untradeable. If getting a little bit of value out of a Kuminga trade requires the Warriors to reroute Hield to a different team, they need to consider it.
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