TITLE: Desert Deal in Motion: Suns Make Aggressive Push for Jonathan Kuminga with Bold Trade Package and $90M Offer
In a move that signals Phoenix’s all-in pursuit of youth, length, and two-way versatility, the Phoenix Suns have submitted a formal trade offer to the Golden State Warriors for 21-year-old forward Jonathan Kuminga, according to NBA insider Marc Spears.
The offer includes:
Royce O’Neale, a seasoned 3-and-D wing,
Nick Richards, a developing 7-footer with rim protection upside,
Four second-round picks, spread across future drafts for added flexibility.
But the bigger headline? If the deal is accepted, Phoenix is reportedly prepared to offer Kuminga a 4-year, $90 million contract — a massive financial commitment and a clear sign they believe he’s ready to become a star in the Valley.
🔥 Why Kuminga?
The Suns have been laser-focused on surrounding their Big Three — Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal — with defensive-minded, athletic, high-upside role players. But the front office has been privately concerned about the aging Durant and the team’s need for more frontcourt youth and scoring independence.
Enter Kuminga: a 6’8”, 225-pound forward with elite athleticism, defensive range, and untapped shot creation ability. After averaging 16.1 points and 5.2 rebounds on 53% shooting in an expanded role last season, Kuminga has drawn significant league-wide interest — but Phoenix’s package stands out for its immediate value and long-term pick assets.
> “The Suns don’t see Kuminga as a project,” a fictional front-office source stated. “They see him as a 20-point scorer who just needs room to breathe. They’re ready to build him into their future core.”
💰 The $90 Million Bet
A 4-year, $90 million deal would vault Kuminga into near All-Star salary territory — but Suns GM James Jones reportedly believes the investment is justified. Phoenix sees Kuminga as a defensive anchor who can develop into a secondary scorer, especially once Durant retires or takes on a smaller role.
The deal would likely be front-loaded to maximize cap control during the next CBA window, according to cap analysts fictionalized for this story.
🛠️ What Would Golden State Gain?
Golden State is reportedly intrigued by the offer’s structure. While not flashy, Royce O’Neale brings immediate plug-and-play defense and veteran spacing. Nick Richards adds young size behind Kevon Looney and Trayce Jackson-Davis. And the four second-round picks (two in 2026, one in 2027, and one in 2029) provide ammunition for future trade flexibility or stash prospects.
But the Warriors are internally torn. Kuminga has long been viewed as a potential franchise cornerstone, and Curry has publicly praised his growth. Sources close to the team say Curry and Steve Kerr want the team to be “very careful” about giving up on Kuminga unless the return is elite.
🚨 Where It Stands
No deal is finalized, but league insiders say talks have “accelerated rapidly” in the last 48 hours. Kuminga’s camp, represented by BJ Armstrong, is reportedly “supportive” of a fresh start and enthusiastic about the Suns’ role projection.
> “He’s ready for a place that believes in him,” a fictional associate said. “Phoenix is serious.”
If accepted, the deal could be finalized by the end of the week — launching Kuminga into the desert spotlight and giving the Suns the most athletic starting five in the Western Conference.
🏀 PROJECTED SUNS STARTING LINEUP (If Trade Finalized):
PG: Devin Booker
SG: Bradley Beal
SF: Kevin Durant
PF: Jonathan Kuminga
C: Jusuf Nurkić
Bench: Eric Gordon, Bol Bol, Josh Okogie, Grayson Allen
The message from Phoenix is clear: they’re building not just for now, but for the next era.
And they believe Jonathan Kuminga is the bridge.
