Warriors unlikely to include Kuminga in potential Pascal Siakam trade
The Golden State Warriors are rumored to be interested in acquiring former All-NBA forward Pascal Siakam via trade. The Toronto Raptors veteran is in the final year of his deal and will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer. The Raptors are expected to part ways with Siakam following their recent decision to send OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks.
However, according to Michael Grange of SportsNet.Ca, the Warriors are unlikely to have any interest in including Jonathan Kuminga in a potential trade package for Siakam. He noted how the franchise sees the third-year forward as a future star.
“According to multiple sources, the Warriors are loathe to trade Kuminga, who is seen as a potential star who can help them win now and in the future, the rare piece on the roster who can help Golden State both support Steph Curry in the present and transition to a successful post-Curry future, should it ever come,” Grange reported.
Kuminga has recently been reported to have lost faith in Steve Kerr. However, it would appear that Golden State is committed to making the partnership work, especially given the solid production the budding forward has been providing on the court this season.
The trade drama around Raptors star Pascal Siakam keeps heating up, even more so as the Raptors arrive in the Bay Area: https://t.co/TD88vz7uOP
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) January 7, 2024
According to a recent report by Marc Stein via his SteinLine newsletter, Siakam would prefer to see out the rest of the season with the Raptors before hitting free agency. However, Toronto are unlikely to let one of their star players leave for nothing in a similar manner to Fred VanVleet last summer.
“Any team that trades for Siakam before the Feb. 8 buzzer — now that we’ve passed Dec. 30 — can only offer him a two-year extension,” Stein wrote. “Word is Siakam, if he’s dealt, is unlikely to sign off on a two-year extension and would prefer, again, to proceed to unrestricted free agency.”
Whether the Warriors are willing to risk trading for a player who could potentially walk in the summer remains to be seen. However, there’s no denying Siakam could help improve the Warriors’ chances of contending for a championship this season. Still, the risk may not be worth the potential reward. That will be something Mike Dunleavy Jr. will need to weigh before potentially extending a trade offer to Toronto.
