The Golden State Warriors rejected any and all sign-and-trade offers from the Sacramento Kings for Jonathan Kuminga last offseason, essentially calling out their pacific rival for not being serious in what they referred to as a buy-low attempt on the young forward.
Fast-forward 12 months and the Kings are making the same mistake again despite their interest in Kuminga, leaving talks going nowhere according to ESPN's Anthony Slater on Wednesday.
Kings repeating Jonathan Kuminga mistake they made last year
It's strange that Sacramento have had a long-running interest in Kuminga, yet have been unwilling to do what it takes to land him for two-straight offseasons where he's been available. The former seventh overall pick is an unrestricted free agent this time around, but the Kings are showing no effort to strongly engage in sign-and-trade talks with the Atlanta Hawks, or make another move that would allow them to offer Kuminga more than a minimum contract.
"The Kings have also maintained interest in unrestricted free agent wing Jonathan Kuminga, but unlike last summer, they have been hesitant to get into sign-and-trade conversations, in part because they are hard capped at the first apron. Without such a move with the Atlanta Hawks, they would have only a minimum to offer, so those talks have gone nowhere," Slater reported.
As much as Kuminga's value has seemingly plummeted, the Kings are the sort of team that should be taking a high upside swing on the former Warrior given they once again appear destined to be a bottom three team in the Western Conference.
Sacramento could deliver Kuminga a big role without the pressure of winning in the short-term, which is in stark contrast to other suitors like the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers who just made the playoffs and are looking to take the next step.
Sacramento weren't serious in Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade talks
The Kings' intial offer to the Warriors for Kuminga reportedly centered around Dario Saric, Devin Carter and two second-round picks. That was a laughable deal at the time and looks even worse now, with Saric now out of the league and Sacramento salary dumping Carter to Atlanta earlier this offseason.
The Kings improved their offer to Malik Monk and a protected first-round pick, but the Warriors were wise to dismiss that as well given the 28-year-old Monk just had his worst season of the past five years.
Golden State eventually re-signed Kuminga before trading him at February's deadline, with the risk taken on Kristaps Porzingis still far more worthwhile than anything Sacramento put forward last summer.
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