The Golden State Warriors have a dilemma on their hands.
Jonathan Kuminga, the team's seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, is in the midst of an elongated restricted free agency, and it seems both sides are headed for the one-year qualifying offer.
But could the Warriors turn Kuminga into a trade asset ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season?
Warriors Trade Idea Swaps Jonathan Kuminga for Trey Murphy III
Christopher Kline of Fansided proposed a deal that would land Trey Murphy III from the New Orleans Pelicans.
New Orleans Pelicans receive: Jonathan Kuminga, GSW 2026 first-round pick, GSW 2032 first-round pick
Golden State Warriors receive: Trey Murphy III
"The Warriors are interested in New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy, per B/R's Jake Fischer. Murphy is an efficient, high-volume shooter who's beginning to deliver star-level impact for the Pelicans, so trading him for Kuminga, who doesn't fit their new-look roster in the slightest, sounds like an instant turn-off," wrote Kline.
"But these are Joe Dumars' New Orleans Pelicans. The man traded for Jordan Poole and gave up an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to move up seven spots for Derik Queen on draft night. We cannot ascribe conventional wisdom to New Orleans' team-building strategy."
While the trade certainly doesn't make sense for the Pelicans, the Warriors should be all over this deal.
Murphy is an elite spot-up shooter and would be a great fit playing alongside the likes of Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler.
While Kuminga is a talented young player, he needs the ball in his hands to be effective, and that just isn't a great basketball fit when playing with the likes of Curry.
Murphy, on the other hand, can play off the ball and is a solid defender, and would instantly become a key rotational player for the Warriors as they look to compete for a championship.