One NBA writer is proposing that the Brooklyn Nets trade for Jonathan Kuminga and Gary Payton II of the Golden State Warriors. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Warriors and Nets:
Golden State Warriors receive: Dorian Finney-Smith
Brooklyn Nets receive: Jonathan Kuminga and Gary Payton II
“The Nets don’t face the same championship-or-bust urgency, though, so they could see the appeal in allowing Kuminga to spread his wings,” Buckley wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “If he developed quickly enough, he might have plenty to contribute with Mikal Bridges still in his prime. Payton would mostly be included here for salary-matching purposes, although Brooklyn could see value in him as a defensive tone-setter.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets Updates
The Nets got swept by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs. The Warriors, meanwhile, lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals.
Kuminga appeared in 67 games last season. He averaged 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 52.5% from the field, 37.0% from beyond the arc and 65.2% from the free-throw line.
Payton II, who is the son of NBA legend Gary Payton, played for the Portland Trail Blazers and Warriors last season. He averaged 4.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 59.4% overall, 50.0% from 3 and 85.7% from the foul line.
“Kuminga might still have a sky-high ceiling in front of him, but the Warriors don’t trust him to contribute to a title pursuit,” Buckley wrote. “That much was made clear in their last playoff run, when they gave him just 61 minutes over 10 games and never brought him off the bench in three different tilts.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets Updates
The Nets are building around budding star small forward Mikal Bridges. It will be interesting to see if they make any big trades.
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