3 reasons the Golden State Warriors could deal Jonathan Kuminga for 2023 lottery pick

1. Eyeing a tantalizing prospect in the draft

Perhaps the primary reason the Warriors are willing to deal Kuminga is because they are obsessed and infatuated by a prospect in this year’s draft. While it may appear strange to fans that the franchise could be willing to let go of Kuminga after two years of development, maybe there’s a player toward the top of the draft that the front office simply want to get their hands on.

Afterall, Kuminga is Golden State’s best trade asset right now, even if his value has fallen slightly given his lack of playing time during the postseason. If they do want to acquire a top ten pick, then he’s their best avenue to do so outside of trading franchise cornerstone Stephen Curry.

Would Kuminga even garner a top ten pick right now though? Possibly to the bottom end of the top ten, but likely not anything greater than a pick seven where he was taken by the Warriors two years ago.

Locked on Warriors host Cyrus Saatsaz reported on Wednesday that Golden State could be targeting one of the Thompson twins — Amen or Ausar — should Kuminga yield a pick high enough. With the twins projected by ESPN to go picks four and six in the draft, the Warriors would probably need to attach another asset to Kuminga to attract a pick in that range.

At that stage, why not go big name hunting by trying to acquire the second or third overall pick to obtain either Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson? It would take alot — likely Kuminga, Moses Moody and a plethora of future picks — but a conversation with the Charlotte Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers wouldn’t hurt. Either way, trading Kuminga may be an indication the franchise has their sights set on someone in the top handful of picks.