As the Golden State Warriors sought out a potential sign-and-trade for restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga this offseason, the Sacramento Kings slowly emerged as the strongest suitor's for the dynamic young forward's services.
Nevertheless, the Warriors never felt as though the Kings' offers satisfied theiir threshold to part from their prime trade asset, and, while Kuminga now must return to a less-than-ideal situation with the Warriors, the organization may have saved him from an even more disastrous scenario in Sacramento.
Although the Kings would likely have valued Kuminga as a cornerstone of their franchise, the host of young players currently on the roster along with the confusing mix of ball-dominant players they have under contract this season could have resulted in the young forward's development being stunted even further.
Kuminga to the Kings could have been disastrous for the young forward
Following their offseason sign-and-trade acquisition of former Warrior Dennis Schroder, the Kings' roster is now absolutely packed with ball-dominant players. Their starting line-up alone features Schroder, Zach Lavine and Demar DeRozan, and serious rumors have also connected the organization to free agent guard Russell Westbrook late in the offseason.
Kings' analyst Deuce Mason, speaking on the Athletic NBA Daily podcast about Sacramento's outlook this season, expressed concerns with the team's ability to develop young talent in the midst of this roster construction, saying, "You look at this team, and there's some young talent on here that you'd like to get ample opportunity. But where do they fit in?... [Long term], how do you pick a direction for this group?"
Namely, Mason's concerns fall primarily on the fit and opportunity for players such as Keegan Murray and Keon Ellis on the roster. Both players, like Kuminga, have serious steps to take in their offensive games and need extended runway to do so.
The way the Kings have constructed their roster, however, will prevent them from both seriously competing in the Western Conference and developing their young talent: a disastrous recipe for a team that has made the playoffs only once since 2006.
While Kuminga is more concerned with gaining the opportunity to earn massive minutes and prove his potential than being on a contending team, sending Kuminga to Sacramento on a long-term contract may represent just another strange and tenuous home for the 22-year-old.
What Kuminga needs, instead, is a roster that has near-unlimited minutes to give him immediately, allowing him to be a focal point of the offense and get the opportunity he needs to improve his defensive and rebounding game. While it still remains a possibility that he goes to the Kings, it is likely that the young forward would be better off elsewhere.