Is that the sound of Jonathan Kuminga’s trade smoke, or just the basketball Gods toying with our emotions again? Was that really Sacramento? Was he sending a message? Or just taking in a scenic stretch of riverbank with suspiciously convenient lighting? Within minutes, X threads lit up, group chats buzzed, and fans declared it “Kuminga season.” Subtle? Maybe. Coincidental? Not a chance.

Because nothing screams “NBA offseason drama” like your 22-year-old rising star casually posting an Instagram Story from the West Sacramento side of the American River, while “Walking on a Dream” floats gently in the background. No captions whatsoever, just vibes, suspicion, and a view that might as well have come with a “Welcome to the Beam Team” watermark. The interesting part, though? Kuminga lives in San Francisco, arguably the farthest you can get from Beam territory without leaving the state. So what’s he doing deep in Kings’ country on a Tuesday afternoon? Certainly not looking for a better burrito.

And listen, we’re not saying Kuminga just soft-launched a trade. We’re also not not saying that. For a fanbase already walking a tightrope of hope and denial, this is a perfectly timed mood board drop from a player who’s been the subject of trade rumors longer than most rookie contracts last. And sure, he could just be enjoying the sights. But let’s be real: when a restricted free agent who’s tangled in a contract stalemate with Golden State suddenly appears in the heart of their division rival’s backyard? That’s not a coincidence. That’s a breadcrumb. And the crumbs have been piling up.

Kuminga’s game is explosive. In 2024-25, he averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in just under 24.3 minutes per game, shooting 45.4% from the field. When he attacks downhill, it feels like gravity bends in his favor. But it’s not just the numbers, it’s the promise. The athleticism. The raw potential of a player who, if nurtured correctly, could be one of the league’s best two-way wings within the next two years. And therein lies the problem: the Warriors haven’t exactly nurtured him.

Steve Kerr has been reluctant to hand Kuminga the keys, even as the roster aged and spacing evaporated. In the postseason, he vanished from the rotation. Combine that with inconsistent messaging, a limited role, and a stalling contract negotiation, and you get… whatever this cryptic river walk episode is. And as per multiple reports, Kuminga wants out.

Not because he hates the Bay, but because he wants to grow in the NBA, and he sees Sacramento, reportedly offering a 3-year, $63 million deal via sign-and-trade, as the fertile soil to do it. Meanwhile, Golden State remains unbending. Their current stance? According to insider Tim Kawakami: “Kuminga won’t be traded this summer.”

But that’s just the beginning of the end.

The vicious Kuminga trade cycle

Behind closed doors, the Golden State Warriors’ GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. and owner Joe Lacob are reportedly split between patience and pressure. They know Kuminga’s value. They want more than Malik Monk and a protected first-rounder. And they’re not entirely wrong. The problem?

Posturing only works if the player isn’t actively dribbling circles around your leverage. But the Sacramento Kings aren’t a random suitor. They need a versatile forward who can defend, run in transition, and grow. Kuminga checks every box. Add in the fact that Sacramento’s culture has quietly matured under Mike Brown (who, ahem, once coached in Golden State), and suddenly JK in Sactown makes a lot more sense than just a sightseeing tour. From the Warriors’ perspective, though, the options aren’t pretty.

Jonathan Kuminga can: sign a two-year, $45 million deal with only the first year guaranteed, accept the $7.9 million qualifying offer and walk as an unrestricted free agent next summer, or continue the standoff until October 1st. Also, you know what’s fun? The Warriors want him to waive his right to block any trade next year if he signs a one-year deal. Cute.

And let’s not forget what’s waiting in the wings: Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II all reportedly lined up to sign if Golden State can untangle this Kuminga knot. Which means this isn’t just about one player. It’s about the entire offseason plan. Meanwhile, Kuminga walks on dreams and the West Sac riverbanks.

Coincidence? Maybe. A message? Almost definitely. But in this league, where silence says more than press conferences ever could, a story like that draws a line in the sand. Whatever happens next, we’ll see. But the clock on Kuminga’s Warriors chapter just started ticking louder.