PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns keep reshaping their roster at breakneck speed. After they bought out Bradley Beal, they quickly pivoted to their next major move — building a new contender around Devin Booker. That plan now apparently includes a Jonathan Kuminga pursuit, a twist many didn’t see coming.
The Suns Are In Talks For Jonathan Kuminga — Not The First Time
A Disastrous Season Spurs Big Changes
Missing the play-in marked rock bottom for the Suns. They spent more than any team in NBA history yet failed to deliver results. Since the final buzzer, Matt Ishbia has been busy cleaning house. First, he brought in Brian Gregory as general manager and Jordan Ott as head coach. Then he pulled off a blockbuster, sending Kevin Durant to Houston for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 pick in June’s draft. That pick became Khaman Maluach, an intriguing big man with serious upside. The Suns also strengthened their frontcourt with Mark Williams.
Then came the Beal buyout. Phoenix now carries $19.4 million in dead money for five years — a tough pill and a desperate reset.
Jonathan Kuminga Saga Heats Up
Now, all eyes are back on the Suns-Kuminga move. Jake Fischer via The Stein Line reports Kuminga’s camp, led by agent Aaron Turner, has talked to Warriors executives multiple times in Las Vegas. They want a deal that pays Kuminga at least $25 million a year, whether that’s with Golden State or elsewhere.
Golden State has hesitated. They don’t want to overpay long-term unless they get real value back — meaning first-round picks and/or impact players. That’s where Phoenix runs into trouble. Fischer writes, “Sources say Phoenix, meanwhile, is the latest team to express exploratory interest in a Kuminga sign-and-trade … challenging as it would be for the Suns to make such a deal happen.”
Not Their First Dance
This isn’t the first time the Suns have pursued Kuminga. Sources told Fischer the Suns and Warriors discussed Jonathan Kuminga when Golden State tried to bring Durant back before the February deadline. Instead, the Warriors pivoted and landed Jimmy Butler. Still, Kuminga’s name stayed on the table.
The Road Ahead
So, what now? Phoenix doesn’t hold the kind of draft picks or young talent Golden State wants. Still, the Suns being in talks for Kuminga shows Ishbia won’t back down from aggressive moves, even after all the roster shuffling.
If the Suns can’t land Kuminga now, don’t rule out another run at him later. Phoenix wants to stack talent around Booker.
