NBA Trade Rumors: Uncertainty Around Warriors Attaching Picks With Jonathan Kuminga For Trey Murphy III

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga and New Orleans Pelicans sharpshooter Trey Murphy III are two of the hottest names in NBA trade rumors. The Warriors, according to multiple reports, are considering Kuminga as their best trading chip. If they want to add a floor-spacing talent like Murphy, Kuminga will likely be part of that deal.

NBA insider Brett Siegel wrote about the latest on a potential Kuminga-Murphy exchange:

“Murphy has remained one of the Warriors' top trade targets. … Whether or not Golden State would be willing to part ways with future first-round picks and others outside of just Kuminga for Murphy is unknown.”

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A straight swap between Jonathan Kuminga and Trey Murphy will not work due to the Warriors’ second-apron situation. The former is in the books for $22.5 million, while the latter earns $25 million. Dubs can only take back 100% of the salary they will send out. Trading for Murphy puts them $2.5 million over the allowed amount.

The Warriors also can’t aggregate salaries to match an incoming player’s pay, putting Murphy out of reach. Golden State must add another team to get the deal done.

Multiple reports also show that the Pelicans are looking for at least one first-round pick for Trey Murphy. Brett Siegel is unsure if the Dubs will attach a coveted draft capital to Jonathan Kuminga to pry Murphy from New Orleans.

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Trey Murphy III, better shooter than Jonathan Kuminga, fits Steve Kerr’s system

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said in April that “a lineup with Jimmy (Butler), Jonathan (Kuminga) and Draymond (Green) doesn’t fit well.” He said that he would go with the veteran forwards because they were winning.

Kerr echoed the same sentiment when the season started. He confirmed that “there wasn’t much spacing” when he had the same trio on the floor.

This month, Steve Kerr benched a healthy Jonathan Kuminga in the Warriors’ 123-91 win over the Chicago Bulls. Again, Kerr noted his team's shooting and spacing, two things Kuminga has struggled to provide.

Trey Murphy III could be the solution to the clunky fit. Murphy is a career 38.1% shooter from behind the arc. Kerr’s system is also built for shooters like Murphy, making him a natural target the Dubs could be looking at for Kuminga.

Edited by Michael Macasero