Every day, there is a new report about a team being interested in Jonathan Kuminga. But it seems that the former lottery pick can have a greater implication on the league. Right now, there are reports that the Kuminga trade might be a mega deal between the Sacramento Kings, the Miami Heat, and the Golden State Warriors. And it all hinges on one player. Let’s explore it.
One Player Holds the Key to a Heat, Warriors, Kings Mega Trade
According to the latest report by Sactown Sports, the Kings are extremely interested in acquiring Kuminga. They also have a handshake agreement with DeMar DeRozan that if they get Kuminga, they will trade him to a contending team. Anytime you are trying to make a mega deal like this one, there are challenges. There is a framework for a deal between the Kings, the Heat, and the Warriors that can benefit all three teams. But there is one player holding everything back. Or better said, one player that the Kings are hesitant to include in a trade. Let’s take a step-by-step look.
Jonathan Kuminga IN = DeMar DeRozan OUT??@The_StilesFiles: “I believe that there is a handshake agreement between DeMar DeRozan and the Sacramento Kings…” pic.twitter.com/MfPgoOMF84
— Sactown Sports 1140 (@Sactown1140) July 25, 2025
The Warriors Want Value in a Kuminga Deal
The Kings and the Warriors have been talking about a possible Kuminga trade for a while now. But according to the latest reports, the Warriors want either Keon Ellis or Keegan Murray in a trade. Ellis, in particular, is a very interesting option. He is a type of role player who can help a contender by improving around the edges. Ellis averaged 8.3 points on 48.9% shooting from the floor and 43.3% from three-point range in his third season. Right now, the Kings are reluctant to trade him because he is a valuable asset on a cheap deal.
Ellis is the one player who can move the wheels of the Kuminga trade. If the Kings eventually decide to move him to the Warriors, Kuminga will be in Sacramento, and DeRozan on a contending team, likely the Miami Heat.
The Heat Can Benefit from a Kuminga Deal
The Heat are patiently waiting for a deal between the Kings and the Warriors. There were earlier reports that they view DeRozan as a good alternative if they fail to get Kevin Durant. If there is a Kuminga deal, they can swoop in and get DeMar. According to a reporter from Sactown Sports, that deal is probable. He said,
“I believe that there is a handshake agreement between DeRozan and the Kings. That is my belief. If Jonathan Kuminga is acquired by the Kings, they will get their butts in gear as far as getting DeMar DeRozan to another team. I know that we’ve brought up the situation with the Miami Heat. Do you take Terry Rozier and two seconds, and it is essentially a salary dump. Obviously, they are not getting a player back that is as good as DeRozan.”
Rozier has $26.6 million more on his deal for the 2025-26 season. But he has one less year left, as he will be a free agent in the summer of 2026. DeRozan, on the other hand, has two years left on his contract. There are partial guarantees on his deal.
Everything is in place for a mega trade between the Heat, Warriors, and the Kings . The problem is, the Kings are still reluctant to give up Ellis. If they decide to let him move on, this deal can benefit all three sides. The Warriors get a quality rotation role player, the Kings get a potential young star that can grow with the team, and the Heat get another quality veteran to try and make a push.
Photo credit: © Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
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