A blockbuster trade idea has the Golden State Warriors sending Jonathan Kuminga to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for a rising star forward.
The Golden State Warriors will enter the 2025-26 NBA season expected to be a contender in the Western Conference thanks to their star trio of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.
Of course, the Warriors struggled in the first half of last season but that changed after they acquired Butler from the Miami Heat at the trade deadline.
After acquiring Butler, Golden State went on a tear in the second half of the season and upset the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs before being eliminated in the second round by the Minnesota Timberwolves after an untimely injury to Curry.
Now the Warriors will try to build off last season and they also made some key additions to their roster this offseason after they ended their contract dispute with Jonathan Kuminga by signing him to a new two-year contract.
After signing Kuminga to a new deal, Golden State then signed Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, Seth Curry and Gary Payton II to upgrade their roster and try to make a run at another championship this season.
Warriors Could Use Jonathan Kuminga to Land Rising Star From Pelicans
While Golden State will try to make a title run this season, the main headline entering the season for them is the future of Kuminga.
Of course, the Warriors signed Kuminga to a new two-year deal this offseason but with his role in Steve Kerr’s rotation uncertain, it is likely that they will try to find a trade suiter for the young forward ahead of the trade deadline.
One team that could show interest in Kuminga is the New Orleans Pelicans and the Warriors could use the young forward to pull off a trade for a rising star.
Mock Trade Lands Warriors Trey Murphy III for Kuminga, Moody
In a potential trade, the Warriors could send Kuminga, Moses Moody and draft capital to the Pelicans in exchange for Trey Murphy III and Kevon Looney.
Though having to include Moody and draft capital in this trade could be a tough decision for the Warriors to make, acquiring Murphy III and reuniting with Looney could be a major boost to their roster this season.
For Murphy III, he has continued to improve each season of his NBA career and he is coming off his best season thus far.
Last season, the 25-year-old forward averaged 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 45.4% from the field and 36.1% from three.
Murphy III has turned into one of the best young 3-and-D wings in the NBA as he is a great all-around player, especially defensively, which is something the Warriors could use in their starting lineup.
Golden State would also reunite with Looney in this deal after he left the Warriors for the Pelicans this offseason, which would help bolster their frontcourt.
Of course, Looney played a key role for the Warriors during his 10 seasons with the franchise, helping them win three championships during his time there.
By making this trade, the Warriors would be able to add a rising star in Murphy III to upgrade their lineup next to Curry, Butler and Green while also adding a key frontcourt piece in Looney that could make them a title favorite this season.
