SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors sit at 10–9 and hold the eighth seed in the West. Their most recent win in Utah snapped a three-game losing streak and offered brief relief for a team searching for continuity. That skid followed a short stretch of success sparked by a lineup change that replaced Jonathan Kuminga with rookie Will Richard. Kuminga’s knee has bothered him, but the move occurred even before the injury. Steve Kerr benched him because he felt Kuminga had not met performance expectations.
Warriors To Land Pair Domantas Sabonis And Keon Ellis In Blockbuster Trade
Kuminga’s frustration is understandable. He has again become the scapegoat, even after a summer-long contract negotiation that ended with a two-year, $46.8 million deal. Both sides understood the contract positioned him as a potential trade asset if the Warriors wanted to upgrade the roster. Still, he opened the season with efficiency. He attacked the right space, made smart passes, defended without gambling, and rebounded in traffic. Kerr rewarded that with a starting and closing role.
That opportunity evaporated once his turnovers climbed and his rebounding dipped. The Warriors then won a few games without him. The whispers followed. They are better without him. That narrative ignores the truth: Stephen Curry rescued the team by scoring 95 points across two wins in San Antonio. The Warriors have not shown any consistent method of beating strong opponents unless Curry performs superhero feats.
Why the Warriors Are Exploring a Major Trade
Golden State’s uneven form has pushed the front office toward aggressive options. One increasingly likely scenario for the Warriors involves Domantas Sabonis and Keon Ellis. The deal would cost Golden State Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, and meaningful draft capital. It would also mark the franchise’s most significant roster shift since acquiring Jimmy Butler.
The move addresses a real weakness. Golden State ranks near the bottom of the league in rebounding. Sabonis has led the NBA in boards for three straight seasons. He is averaging 12.3 rebounds and remains one of the most reliable offensive rebounders in the league. The rationale behind the Warriors getting Domantas Sabonis and Keon Ellis gives the team size, creation, and efficiency.
Sabonis has seen a reduced role this year, with his 3.7 assists marking his lowest total since 2018–19. His scoring has dipped to 17.2 points, also his lowest since that same season. Yet his fit with Golden State is clear. He thrives in motion offenses that rely on cuts, screens, and constant decision-making. Sabonis ranked in the top 15 in passes per game last season. He also excelled under Mike Brown, who helped build Golden State’s system as Steve Kerr’s lead assistant before installing similar principles in Sacramento. Recently, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report reported on The Stein Line that the Kings are open to moving anyone not named Keegan Murray or Nique Clifford.
How Ellis Complements Golden State’s Rotation
Ellis offers additional value. He has emerged as a reliable 3-and-D guard who shoots above 40 percent from deep and averages 1.2 steals. His impact metrics were strong last season. When he played, the Kings outscored opponents by nearly four points, placing him in the 82nd percentile.
The Domantas Sabonis and Keon Ellis combination strengthens the Warriors’ two weakest points: size inside and rebounding. Both players bring skills the team has lacked during this uneven start. A frontcourt pairing of Draymond Green and Butler would help cover Sabonis defensively while letting him orchestrate offense from the elbows.
A Necessary Bet for Golden State
The cost of this trade is steep. Kuminga is the organization’s most valuable young asset, and losing him closes the chapter on their long-running hope that he could become the next internal star. Yet the Warriors have decided they want to maximize Curry’s remaining prime.
Contrary thoughts? Let’s talk.
© D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
