The NBA is a league of dynasties. Seriously, pick an era in NBA history. Chances are, one team has been dominating the league for some time. In recent years, that team has been the Golden State Warriors.
It’s been a prolonged dynasty. The Warriors haven’t been a dynasty in the mold of Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls. This team has never threepeated. Instead, the Warriors have been contending for a longer duration. If they don’t win a championship, there’s a decent chance they were at least in the running.
Unless they were tanking, of course. The Warriors have done that a couple of times. As a result, this team has made lottery selections in spite of being contenders. With that said, they’ve struggled to find developmental reps for lottery prospects like Jonathan Kuminga. Could they send him to the Indiana Pacers as a result?
The Trade Proposal
Golden State Warriors Receive: G/F Buddy Hield, 2025 First-Round Pick (Swap – IND)
Indiana Pacers Receive: G/F Gary Payton III, F Jonathan Kuminga, G/F Moses Moody
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Warriors have struggled to find developmental time for Kuminga. Again, this is a dynasty. Why would they afford time to a player who’s not ready to contribute to contending?
This raises some deeper questions. What is the best environment for a young player? On the one hand, it feels intuitive that a player like Kuminga is lucky to land in Golden State. He’ll learn winning habits from the winningest team in the NBA. This should be a perfect situation for a player like Kuminga.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors & Indiana Pacers Updates
Unless, of course, he wants to play. Apparently, Kuminga does. It’s been rumored that he wants either a large role in Golden State next year, or a trade to a different team. Meanwhile, the Warriors will be back in the mix for the NBA title. Should they part ways with Kuminga as a result?
Why The Golden State Warriors Do The Deal
What has this Warriors dynasty been predicated on? It’s simple. Ball movement, versatile defense, and shooting – lots and lots of shooting.
So, this deal is simple in its own right. The Warriors already have the best shooting gravity in the NBA. The aptly named Splash Brothers keep the floor spaced at all times. What if they added one of the best movement shooters in the NBA? Hield is as lethal of a threat from long-range as any player in the NBA.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors & Indiana Pacers Updates
Of course, his trade value is probably not as high as Kuminga and Moody combined. That’s why the Warriors are landing a pick swap here as well. If the Pacers aren’t competitive by 2025, it’s got a decent shot of conveying. Should the Pacers take that risk?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
Well, it depends on what the Pacers see in Kuminga. We can’t speak to that. With that said, we can tell you what we see in him. We see superstar potential.
After all, Kuminga is precisely the type of long, playmaking wing that is currently dominating the NBA. He’s an outlier run and jump athlete with a plus wingspan. In theory, Kuminga should be a dominant two-way force and elite play finisher in half-court sets. We simply haven’t had the opportunity to watch him operate with a long leash.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors & Indiana Pacers Updates
The Pacers could give it to him. No, this team isn’t tanking. The Pacers have solid talent already. Tyrese Haliburton is one of the best playmakers in the NBA, and Myles Turner is one of the league’s preeminent 3-and-D big men. Still, this team could use an upgrade at the 4, and Kuminga could be that upgrade. Who knows? He could help the Pacers build a dynasty of their own in time.
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