Pelicans Exit The Jonathan Kuminga Sweepstakes, Lakers And More At The Forefront

What’s going to happen to Jonathan Kuminga? The Warriors organization, its players, and its ever-so exasperated fanbase all want this question answered before the February 6 trade deadline. The New Orleans Pelicans, who had shown interest in the Congolese baller, have reportedly decided not to go for him.

The Kuminga saga has been dragging on for a year now. And the interest from the Pelicans, who are languishing toward the bottom of the West, seemed to have the potential to make the trade happen. But, no.

Steve Kerr has struggled to incorporate Kuminga into his plans, yet the Warriors still signed him to a two-year, $48 million contract. Just a few months later, the former first-round pick was hit with 16 straight DNPs, a stretch that was followed by a very public trade demand.

At this point, everyone associated with Golden State seems ready to move. The question now is which teams are actually interested in him.

NBA Insider Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson had stated that the Pelicans were interested in him, but has now refuted his own claims after speaking to a source close to the New Orleans organization.

“Despite weeks of speculation linking the Golden State Warriors’ forward to the New Orleans Pelicans—with rumors even suggesting Trey Murphy III or Herb Jones as potential targets, it appears the interest may have been more smoke than fire,” wrote Robinson on his website on Sunday.

The Pelicans insider whom Robinson spoke to told him that the interest was never “real”. Instead, there are three other teams that are eyeing him and could make a move for him before February 6.

Robinson revealed those franchises to be the Sacramento Kings, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Dallas Mavericks. All three teams are part of the Western Conference. And although Kuminga may have developed some rust from being shackled by Kerr, he could be an asset to all.

Out of these teams, Kuminga would only play a starting role in the Kings and maybe the Mavericks. The Lakers, according to Robinson, don’t see him as a starter but as an “offensive upside”. His job could be to lead the second unit and help them get buckets.

Kuminga is just 23 years old and has a huge ceiling. He’s athletic, good at finishing at the rim, and can be an asset in transition scoring as well. Someone has to take a bet on him, though. He’s too good to just keep rotting away on the Warriors bench.

The Pelicans, meanwhile, are looking to make another deal work that could revive their season and future. They’re ready to send Dejounte Murray and Jordan Poole to Memphis in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ja Morant, who has also demanded a trade.