Warriors Trade Rumors: Proposed Deal Would Send Jonathan Kuminga To The East Coast

Could Jonathan Kuminga's days with the Golden State Warriors be coming to an end? It looks like head coach Steve Kerr has lost complete faith in the youngster just as he's about to enter restricted free agency.

Kuminga didn't even play in Game 1 of the Warriors' first-round series against the Houston Rockets, and only came in off the bench in Game 2 once Jimmy Butler went down with a pelvic contusion in the first quarter. Kuminga started Game 3, but only saw 16 minutes on the floor and registered only seven points and one rebound.

Kuminga hasn't progressed under Kerr, and even took a step back in his 4th season after turning down a 5-year, $150M extension offer from the Dubs last summer.

It's evident that the former 7th overall pick (2021 NBA Draft) needs a fresh start and a team and coach that has confidence in him.

Enter the Brooklyn Nets, who have a legit trade piece to offer Golden State in return. Per Kyler Fox in si.com, a Cam Johnson for Kuminga deal might satisfy both parties.

With Johnson set to earn $20.5 million next season, Fox suggests that the two players' salaries would be fairly similar, in a sign-and-trade scenario. Kuminga didn't play up to his $30M/year demands, so will likely have to accept less on his new contract.

Fox also figures the deal would be nice for the good soldier Johnson.

Johnson has been stellar in Brooklyn. He's a model teammate, and his effort has never wavered, even amid this past season's frustrating results. But he deserves a shot at an NBA title, and he won't find that with the rebuilding Nets. This hypothetical situation lands Johnson with a great organization, while allowing (Nets) GM Sean Marks to ink Kuminga to a long-term deal without the common complexities of signing a restricted free agent.

Kuminga finished this past regular season averaging 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds, but his shooting suffered across the board—from the floor, from long range and from the line.

Johnson led the Nets at 18.8 points per game, along with 4.3 boards and 3.4 assists. He shot 39% from three-point range.