Several notable Golden State Warriors could potentially be on the move before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.
The Warriors “would like to move Andrew Wiggins for an upgrade,” according to Action Network’s Matt Moore. The team is also “willing to part with the unhappy Jonathan Kuminga,” Moore wrote.
Wiggins began the season as a starter before the 11-season veteran was benched in December for the first time in his career. He is averaging a career-low 11.9 points and 1.5 assists through 36 games and doesn’t look set to rejoin the Warriors’ starting five any time soon. Wiggins is still in the first season of the four-year, $109-million contract he signed with the Warriors following the team’s 2022 championship.
The Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers been linked with an interest in Wiggins, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer.
Trade rumors have surrounded Kuminga since a Jan.
5 report from The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater stated he “has lost faith in coach Steve Kerr” after Kerr limited his minutes late in close games.
Kuminga, in his third season with the Warriors, is averaging 13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. He is signed through 2024-25, with a team option of just over $7.6 million, and is set to become a restricted free agent in 2025.
Other reports, however, have indicated the Warriors want to keep Kuminga.
Sportsnet’s Michael Grange reported the team is “loathe to trade” the 21-year-old, who “is said to have a very close relationship with Warriors owner Joe Lacob.”
Even if the Warriors are able to recover from losing seven of their last ten games, a trade could at least lower the franchise’s luxury tax bill.
Thanks to a record payroll of over $200 million, the 18-22 team is currently set to set a new NBA standard with a luxury tax bill of $186 million this season.
