The Golden State Warriors boast the 19th pick in next week’s NBA Draft. However, they might not end up selecting that low.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony is reporting that the Warriors are attempting to package former lottery pick Jonathan Kuminga for a high selection in the annual event.
Kuminga, 20, fell out of head coach Steve Kerr’s rotation during the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Since then, there have been rumors that he could be traded. For Kerr, Kuminga’s inability to rebound (3.4 per game last season) was one of the primary reasons he was not part of the postseason rotation before Golden State fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in the conference semifinals.
Even then, there’s unlimited potential when it comes to the 6-foot-8 wing. He proved that toward the end of his sophomore season before the playoffs. Over the course of his final 22 regular-season games, Kuminga averaged 13.4 points and 4.3 rebounds on 56% shooting, including a 44% mark from three-point range.
Some figure that the Warriors are looking to package Kuminga in a trade for a proven player. That might be the case with the likes of Jordan Poole and Moses Moody potentially on the block, too.
If Kuminga is used as bait during the 2023 NBA Draft next week, there’s going to be a ton of interest in him from teams looking to add a high-upside player who was part of a championship rotation back in 2021-22. Below, we look at three potential targets for the Warriors in a trade-up scenario involving Kuminga.
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Jordan Hawkins, guard, Connecticut
Likely slated to be selected just outside of the top 10, Golden State might be able to move up for Hawkins without exhausting the 19th pick in addition to Kuminga. A team like the Oklahoma City Thunder (12th) could be interested in the young forward.
In this scenario, the Warriors add a 6-foot-4 guard with tremendous shooting ability. Hawkins hit on 39% of his shots from beyond the arc in helping UConn to the national title a season ago. Technically, he’d take over as one of the Warriors’ top bench options out of the gate. Hawkins is seen as pro ready leading up to the draft.
Related: Ideal trade scenarios for Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga
Gradey Dick, wing, Kansas
Acquiring the 6-foot-6 Dick would be a different scenario. The former Kansas star is likely going to find himself as a top-10 pick. It’s in this that the Golden State Warriors would likely have to include the 19th pick and Kuminga in any trade.
Is he worth it? That’s the biggest question leading up to the draft. Dick has a near complete skillset for a wing. He hit on 40% of his three-point shots as a freshman for Kansas. Dick also has an ability to score off the dribble and is surprisingly good finishing at the rim. He’d be an immediate replacement for Kuminga and might fit Kerr’s system better. Selecting ninth overall, the Wizards might be a target trade-up partner.
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Golden State Warriors package Jonathan Kuminga for a veteran
We could very well see Golden State active in moving some young pieces and draft picks for a proven veteran. Rumors have pointed in the direction of interest in Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam.
Could it happen during the 2023 NBA Draft? We’re expecting a number of veterans to be traded as the annual event plays out with Siakam’s name being mentioned a whole lot in relation to the Warriors.
Boasting the 13th pick, Toronto might be interested in acquiring the 19th selection to move into the top 10. Adding Kuminga to the mix would only be icing on the cake. The question is whether the 19th pick, Kuminga and Jordan Poole would be enough to get this done. We’re leaning in the affirmative on that.