We’ve seen similar situations in the NBA before. Ben Simmons refused to play for the Philadelphia 76ers until they traded him. James Harden did the same with the Houston Rockets and the Sixers. However, it is rare that a young player wants to leave the team that drafted him. Right now, the Jonathan Kuminga drama doesn’t look like it is going to end soon. Both sides want the same thing: a trade. But the Warriors want assets they are not getting in return, and Kuminga doesn’t want to sign a two-year deal with a team option to help them find a better move.
Seven Players Affected by the Jonathan Kuminga Drama
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some players who are waiting for the Kuminga drama to end so that they can continue their careers. It seems like this situation is going to drag on to the very finish line, but there has to be a resolution.
Malik Monk
The Sacramento Kings’ offer for Kuminga was made public by several sources. The main player they would send in such a deal was Malik Monk, who has done everything the Kings asked of him. He was a bench player for the first two seasons before moving to the starting lineup last season. It is hard to see how the two sides can mend fences if there is no trade.
Russell Westbrook
Recent reports say the Kings will not sign Russell Westbrook until they either trade a guard or know they are completely out of the Kuminga situation. Westbrook is a former MVP and All-Star player, but he is also on the wrong side of his 30s. While he showed he can help a team win during the regular season last year with the Nuggets, it is clear he is on the decline.
The Sacramento Kings are not expected to sign Russell Westbrook unless they make room by trading a guard, per @sam_amick
“More specifically, the odds of a Russell Westbrook signing go up if they know they’re completely out on Kuminga (though they aren’t expected to make that… pic.twitter.com/xPmlXaCDKZ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 28, 2025
Al Horford
Al Horford is one of the most respected veterans throughout the league. This summer, he finds himself in a strange situation. He might have hoped to finish his career with the Boston Celtics, but the injury to Jayson Tatum changed everything. Multiple reports say he has a deal with the Warriors in place, but that cannot happen until they solve the Kuminga situation.
DeMar DeRozan
There was a reported mega trade a month ago that would have allowed DeMar DeRozan to leave the Kings. The report claimed that the former All-Star has a verbal deal with the Kings that if they get Kuminga, they will let him leave and join a contender. That has yet to be materialized, but the deal probably still stands.
Ben Simmons
Some people around the league view the former Rookie of the Year winner as a better alternative for a backup point guard on the Kings. Similar to Westbrook, Simmons doesn’t have many potential suitors around the league. And like Westbrook, he might have to wait for a resolution on Kuminga before he can sign with another team.
De’Anthony Melton
De’Anthony Melton had a great start last season with the Warriors. In just six games, he showed great value as a versatile defender, guard, and shooter. Then he suffered an injury that cost him the season, and he was gone. There are talks that the Warriors would love to bring him back. He is one of the potential new players who have to wait for GSW to solve the Kuminga conundrum before they can sign new players.
Seth Curry
If things do go well, we might see “the real Splash Bros” playing for the Warriors. Seth Curry is another rumored veteran whom the Warriors would love to get. Last season, he led the league in three-point percentage at 45.6%, albeit on only 2.7 attempts per game. It would be an awesome story for the Curry brothers to finally team up. We can bet Steph Curry would love it.
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