Wizards pursue Jonathan Kuminga in potential sign-and-trade

Jul 4, 2025 6:39 PM

The Washington Wizards have reportedly emerged as one of the most serious suitors for Golden State Warriors restricted free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic.

Washington views Kuminga as a potential long-term piece in their rebuilding process and is actively exploring ways to acquire him.

Because the Wizards do not have the necessary cap space to extend an offer sheet, any deal for Kuminga would need to be executed via a sign-and-trade with the Warriors.

As a restricted free agent, Golden State holds the right to match any outside offers, although it’s unclear how committed they are to keeping him moving forward.

Washington is not alone in its interest. The Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, and Brooklyn Nets have all expressed varying levels of interest in Kuminga.

Among those teams, only the Nets are currently positioned to clear enough cap space to sign him outright. The rest, including the Wizards, would need to negotiate sign-and-trade scenarios to make a move possible.

Kuminga’s role with the Warriors has fluctuated. In the 2023–24 season, he stepped into a starting role for much of the year, appearing in 74 games and starting 46 of them.

During that stretch, he averaged 16.1 points per game while shooting an efficient 53% from the field, along with 4.8 rebounds. It was a season that showcased his growth and potential on both ends of the floor.

However, his involvement declined in the following season. Injuries sidelined him for portions of the year, and upon returning, he struggled to find consistent minutes in Steve Kerr’s rotation.

Despite the reduced role, Kuminga still posted solid numbers, 15.3 points on 45% shooting, with 4.6 rebounds per game, highlighting his ability to contribute even in limited opportunities.

At just 22 years old, Kuminga remains one of the league’s more intriguing young forwards.

His athleticism, defensive versatility, and untapped offensive ceiling have made him a coveted asset for several franchises hoping to unlock his full potential with a more defined role.

For a franchise like the Wizards, who are looking to build around young talent, acquiring Kuminga could be a key step forward.

The next few weeks could prove crucial in determining whether Golden State retains the promising forward or if another team is able to pry him away through a creative sign-and-trade deal.