Unbelievable! Phoenix stuns the NBA, acquiring Jonathan Kuminga in a blockbuster trade that sends two vital veteran players straight to the Golden State Warriors. Dub Nation is going wild!
In a blockbuster move that has sent shockwaves through the NBA, the Phoenix Suns have pulled off the unthinkable: acquiring rising star Jonathan Kuminga from the Golden State Warriors in a sign-and-trade deal just weeks before the 2025-26 season opener. The trade, finalized late Friday night, ends months of tense negotiations and catapults the Suns into a new era of youth and athleticism around Devin Booker.
Dub Nation is in full meltdown mode on social media, with Warriors fans lamenting the departure of the 22-year-old forward who had become a symbol of the franchise’s future. “This is highway robbery in reverse—why give away our young blood for scraps?” tweeted one furious fan, while another posted, “Kuminga was our next Draymond. Suns just stole him for pennies.” The Warriors’ front office, however, sees it as a necessary reset, clearing cap space and acquiring proven rotation pieces to bolster their veteran core.
Jan 31, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles past Phoenix Suns forward Royce O’Neale (00) in the second quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
The Deal Breakdown
According to multiple league sources, the Suns will send veteran wing Royce O’Neale, center Nick Richards, three second-round picks (2026 from the Dallas Mavericks/OKC/Philadelphia pool, 2029 Phoenix outright, and the lower of Phoenix/Houston in 2032), and $5 million in cash considerations to Golden State.
In return, Phoenix lands Kuminga on a lucrative four-year, $81.7 million sign-and-trade contract, complete with a player option on the final year starting at $19 million for the 2025-26 season. The deal also includes Trayce Jackson-Davis heading to the Suns as a throw-in, providing immediate frontcourt depth and a potential backup for the athletic Kuminga.
This proposal, first floated by Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus earlier this month, was the framework that ultimately sealed the agreement after Kuminga rejected yet another extension offer from Golden State. The Warriors, facing a first-apron hard cap after the trade, will now have flexibility to pursue veteran minimum deals like Al Horford, Seth Curry, De’Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II using portions of their taxpayer mid-level exception.
For Phoenix, the move keeps them $680,000 under the first-apron hard cap, allowing them to maintain a 14-player roster without further financial gymnastics. Suns GM James Jones called it “a pivotal step in retooling our core,” emphasizing how Kuminga fits seamlessly into their youth-infused lineup featuring Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Mark Williams.
Why It Happened: Warriors’ Breaking Point
The saga dates back to July, when Kuminga turned down multiple offers from Golden State, including a three-year, $75.2 million deal with a team option that he viewed as lacking commitment. Seeking a max-like extension with player protections, the restricted free agent explored sign-and-trade options with Phoenix and the Sacramento Kings, both of whom dangled four-year deals approaching $90 million.
Golden State shut down early talks, uninterested in Phoenix’s initial package of O’Neale and second-rounders alone. But as training camps loomed and Kuminga flirted with the $7.9 million qualifying offer—potentially making him an unrestricted free agent next summer—the Warriors blinked. Sources say a face-to-face meeting between Kuminga and owner Joe Lacob in August failed to bridge the gap, and with Jimmy Butler’s arrival last season already squeezing minutes, Golden State prioritized cap flexibility over holding out.
“The Warriors weren’t thrilled about Richards as a straight upgrade over Jackson-Davis,” one Eastern Conference executive told ESPN, “but O’Neale’s shooting and shorter contracts tipped the scales. No first-rounder hurt, but the cash and picks got them across the line.” Indeed, the Kings’ competing offer—involving Malik Monk and a protected first—ultimately fell short, leaving Phoenix as the surprise victors.
Kuminga’s Instant Impact in the Desert
For the Suns, Kuminga is more than a trade chip—he’s a cornerstone. The 2021 No. 7 overall pick exploded last season with 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists on 52.9% shooting, showcasing the athleticism that made him a top prospect. In Phoenix, he’ll slide into the starting four, shifting Ryan Dunn to the bench and pairing with Green and Brooks for a terrifying wing trio.
Imagine the lineup: Green, Brooks, Kuminga, Williams, and Booker. That’s length, speed, and scoring that could terrorize the West. “Jonathan’s burst and versatility are exactly what we need to complement Book’s prime,” Jones said. Kuminga, who averaged 24.2 points in the Warriors’ final four playoff games last spring, reportedly chose Phoenix for the starring role and the chance to build alongside a franchise face.
The Suns’ “new-found youth movement” now has its spark. After shipping out Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal in a summer overhaul, Phoenix is betting big on players under 25. Kuminga, at 22, embodies that shift, bringing playoff pedigree (30 points in a 2025 postseason gem) and a hunger for touches.
Fallout for Golden State: A Calculated Risk
Dub Nation’s eruption is understandable—the Warriors are waving goodbye to a homegrown talent who could have been their post-Curry heir. But GM Mike Dunleavy views this as pragmatic: O’Neale (30 years old, elite 3-and-D) and Richards (a rim-protecting big on a team-friendly deal) address immediate needs behind Draymond Green and Kevon Looney. Jackson-Davis stays put? No—in this deal, he’s off to Phoenix, but the incoming Richards provides similar upside at a lower cost.
Golden State avoids a holdout drama and gains trade ammo with the picks and expiring contracts. They can still chase a star like Giannis Antetokounmpo if whispers turn real. “It’s about winning now,” a Warriors source said. “Kuminga deserved more minutes, but we can’t mortgage everything for ‘maybe.’”
Critics point to the lack of a first-rounder as a steal for Phoenix, but with the West’s arms race, Golden State couldn’t afford indecision. As one fan summed it up on X: “Heartbroken, but if this gets us Horford and a title run, I’ll cope.”
Phoenix opens preseason next week, and Kuminga could debut in China against the Warriors in an exhibition—talk about poetic. Suns fans are buzzing about a top-four seed, with Kuminga as the X-factor in a conference loaded with youth.
For Golden State, the focus shifts to integration. O’Neale slots in as a Curry connector, Richards battles for center minutes, and those picks become future currency. The season starts October 22, but this trade has already redefined two franchises.
In a league where stars dictate destiny, the Suns just landed one. Dub Nation erupts in protest, but Phoenix erupts in celebration. The Jonathan Kuminga era has begun.