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Grade the Trade: Crazy Jonathan Kuminga mock deal is a hard no for Golden State Warriors

By Peter O'Keefe

DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 22: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during action against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on March 22, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 22: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during action against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on March 22, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Tim Heitman/Getty Images) /
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Matisse Thybulle of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a three-point shot over Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Matisse Thybulle of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a three-point shot over Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

There is multiple issues with this deal from a Warrior perspective

It’s hard to know where to start from a Golden State standpoint. First, let’s reiterate that a pick six years into the future does nothing for the franchise’s current ambitions, unless they’re able to move it for something else.

In this suggestion the Warriors bring back Matisse Thybulle, one of the league’s best wing defenders who has major flaws on offense. The former Philadelphia 76er has just inked a new three-year, $33.1 million deal with the Trail Blazers after the franchise chose to match an offer sheet from the Dallas Mavericks.

The 26-year-old shot a career-high 38.8% from three-point range in his 22 games with Portland after the mid-season trade. Whether that’s sustainable or not is a question many Trail Blazers’ fans will be asking given Thybulle had been under 31.5% in each of his two previous seasons.

Ultimately, he’s a solid rotation player who simply doesn’t hold anywhere near the same trade value as Kuminga, even with the 2029 pick thrown in. The third-year forward should be a similarly valuable wing defender next season, combined with a much more versatile and explosive offensive game.

Not only do Golden State give up Kuminga, but they also move Trayce Jackson-Davis and Cory Joseph as well. Sure, ‘TJD’ was only the 57th pick in the most recent NBA Draft, but at 23-years-old there’s a chance he could impact the Warrior rotation next season. Losing him wouldn’t be nothing for the franchise.

Joseph is the add-in here to match salaries. While he personally holds little to no league-wide value, he could prove important to Golden State whose point-guard duties are otherwise reliant on the 35-year-old Stephen Curry and 38-year-old Chris Paul.

Next. Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga excites with huge Pro-Am outing. dark

Summary

If a recent mock trade involving Andrew Wiggins was classified as an ‘all-time mistake’, this enters a new stratosphere of awful from a Warrior perspective. Even for Portland, a team with an uncertain future, this trade proposal is far from a home run.

Warriors Grade: F

Portland Trail Blazers: B

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