The Golden State Warriors are clear in what they want in a Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade. All Warriors rumors indicate that the team is looking for a solid young player and a first-round pick if they are unable to reach an agreement with Kuminga and his agent before the season starts.
One of the teams that has been most linked as a possible Kuminga trade destination is the Sacramento Kings. The Kings reportedly offered Devin Carter, Dario Saric, and two second-round picks for Kuminga, but the Warriors reportedly refused.
Now, The Athletic’s Sam Amick has reported that the Warriors are also not interested in another King’s player.
Amick reported that the Warriors are not interested in getting DeMar DeRozan back in a potential Kuminga-Kings trade.
DeRozan has now averaged over 20 points per game for 12 straight seasons. He is a bona fide scoring machine, and the Warriors need another go-to scorer. Unfortunately, DeRozan is 35 years old with his best years behind him. He also just doesn’t fit with the Warriors' current roster.
DeRozan is primarily an isolation scorer and doesn’t project to flow well in the Warriors read and read-and-react offense. He also has never been a good three-point shooter, and with Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler already slotted to play heavy minutes, the Warriors can’t afford to play another who doesn’t stretch the floor.
DeRozan’s contract is another reason the Warriors likely want to stay away. He is owed over $50 million over this season and the next. The Warriors don’t want to take on extra salary that will limit their flexibility any more than it already is.
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So while it may seem wild that the Warriors are turning away from a player of DeRozan’s caliber, getting him in a Kuminga trade is just a bit too risky. The Warriors are already too old, too expensive, and don’t shoot three-pointers well enough. DeRozan is not an ideal fit.
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