Kings' Nique Clifford, others named to 2025 NBA All-Summer League first team
Sacramento Kings rookie Nique Clifford was among the players selected to the 2025 NBA All-Summer League first team for games played in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Clifford averaged 15.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals on 45.8% shooting from 3-point range in six appearances with the Kings. He scored in double figures five times, including a 19-point, nine-assist and seven-rebound performance on July 16.
The 24th pick helped the Kings advance to the championship game on Monday before falling to the Charlotte Hornets. He emerged as the top performer among all first-year players, according to one metric used by HoopsHype.
Joining Clifford on the first team were 2025 NBA Summer League MVP and Utah Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski, San Antonio Spurs guard David Jones Garcia, LA Clippers guard Jordan Miller and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr.
Kings forward Isaac Jones, the top performer by HoopsHype, headlined the second team announced on Tuesday, along with Detroit Pistons guard Ron Holland II, Hornets players Kon Knueppel and KJ Simpson, and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell.
Knueppel was named MVP of the championship game, guiding the Hornets to an 83-78 win to claim their first title in Sin City. He finished with 21 points, five rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes.
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New York Times
3 hours ago
- New York Times
Quick thoughts on Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper and each 2025 draft pick in NBA Summer League
NBA Summer League was the first opportunity for this year's rookie class to don their new team colors and get on the floor. In a little more than two months, training camps will be underway. Obviously, we take summer league with a grain of salt. It is a spectacle that features bad shot selection, excessive fouling, ghastly assist-turnover ratios, elementary levels of defensive attention and substandard shooting. Advertisement With those caution labels applied, here's an assessment of how each of the 2025 NBA Draft picks looked this month, with a brief take on their role in summer league and what may be in store for them in the fall. 1. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks: Flagg had a rough time making shots in his summer-league opener while starting at power forward. But despite missing 16 of 21 shots against the Los Angeles Lakers (including all five 3s), he had only one turnover while mixing in four assists and three steals. The shot fell two days later against the San Antonio Spurs, and that was all Dallas needed to see, resting Flagg for the last three games. Expect Flagg to start at small forward next to Anthony Davis and a center and to be used frequently on the ball; the Mavericks should be trying to find Flagg on fast breaks as often as possible. 2. Dylan Harper, Spurs: Harper missed the first five games with a groin injury before debuting against Flagg while starting at point guard. Like Flagg, he played only two games and didn't have the cleanest offensive output: a 4:7 assist-turnover ratio while making only 34.5 percent of his 29 shots and only 1-of-9 3s. Harper's last bucket was clutch, though: a sideline out of bounds where he squared up Elijah Harkless at the elbow and hit a game-tying field goal to force overtime. Harper should compete with Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell to see who starts next to De'Aaron Fox to open the season in San Antonio. 3. VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers: Edgecombe started at shooting guard in Salt Lake City before missing games with a thumb injury. He came back against the Washington Wizards and resumed his parade to the free-throw line while rebounding, distributing and defending. He didn't shoot the 3 well (2-of-13), but he took good care of the ball while operating heavily out of ball screens. He should compete for a starting job at shooting guard in Philadelphia. Advertisement 4. Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets: Knueppel was the only rookie to make the All-Summer League second team and one of only two rookies to make any of the summer-league teams. He started at small forward and shooting guard, missed only one game because of an ankle injury and was the MVP of the championship game against the Sacramento Kings. He was significantly more effective off the ball and on the fast break than on the ball, though he also dished out 18 assists in five games. Knueppel was good defensively, too, and should compete for a starting role next to LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. 5. Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz: Bailey started at power forward next to 2024 picks Cody Williams and Kyle Filipowski but missed the Las Vegas games with a right hip injury. He struggled mightily against Edgecombe and the Sixers (eight points on 3-of-13 shooting) before bouncing back against the Memphis Grizzlies for 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting. Bailey didn't have a single turnover while making 4 of 10 3s. He should be a good fit for Utah's body-movement offense and should start at small forward next to Lauri Markkanen. 6. Tre Johnson, Wizards: Johnson started at shooting guard next to 2024 lottery pick Bub Carrington in his summer-league opener. He was very efficient as a scorer, making 14 of 24 shots overall and 5 of 11 3s. He only posted a 3:5 assist-turnover ratio, so he's better suited to focus on getting his own shot right now. CJ McCollum likely starts at one guard spot in Washington, leaving Johnson and Carrington to battle for the other. 7. Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans: Zero Fears, zero missed games. The Pelicans' rookie started all five games at point guard and was the only lottery pick with perfect attendance on the court in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, that also came with zero wins. He had a particularly rough game against the Lakers, missing 16 of 21 shots (like Flagg did), 6 of 7 3s, compiling six personal fouls and having three turnovers with … zero assists. Overall, Fears made only 40 percent from the field and had a 13:25 assist-turnover ratio while missing 18 of 22 3s. Dejounte Murray is still recovering from an Achilles tendon tear, but Fears is likely backing up Jordan Poole to begin the season in New Orleans. 8. Egor Demin, Brooklyn Nets: He started the first summer-league game at shooting guard next to Nolan Traoré before starting at point guard against the Wizards with Tyson Etienne and TJ Bamba on the wings. Demin shot the 3 well (10-of-23, 43.5 percent), which raises his floor, but he made only one basket inside the arc in three games while compiling a 4:9 assist-turnover ratio. He should be the front-runner to start at point guard in Brooklyn, but don't be surprised if he isn't particularly on-ball dominant at the beginning of the season. Advertisement 9. Collin Murray-Boyles, Toronto Raptors: Murray-Boyles missed the first summer-league game with an adductor strain and started at power forward next to Jamison Battle. He's certainly active defensively, compiling seven steals and four blocks in four games, and had 12 offensive rebounds. Murray-Boyles didn't shoot well and had an 8:10 assist-turnover ratio, so he's not going to be asked to create. His points are going to come from running, rolling and crashing. He should be the first big off the bench in Toronto. 10. Khaman Maluach, Phoenix Suns: Maluach started at center and launched six 3s in his first summer-league game, making only one of them. That's kind of how it went for Maluach, as nearly half of his 28 field-goal attempts were 3s, and he made only three of them. He only had a 1:7 assist-turnover ratio as well, so it's going to take him some time offensively, though he blocked four shots. Maluach will likely be Mark Williams' backup next season. 11. Cedric Coward, Grizzlies: Coward missed summer league to protect his surgically repaired left shoulder, but he should be ready for training camp. He should slot in as a reserve wing in Memphis. 12. Noa Essengue, Chicago Bulls: Essengue started at power forward, initially next to 2024 lottery pick Matas Buzelis. He had some unfortunate moments, starting with a zero-assist, seven-turnover opener and then getting dunked on so bad by Johnny Furphy that he broke 'SportsCenter.' Essengue missed the final game with a quadriceps contusion. It wasn't all bad, as he had a double-double against the Kings in under 20 minutes and had 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting against Furphy's Pacers. Unless Buzelis moves to small forward, there is a logjam at power forward with Patrick Williams still on the team, and that makes Essengue's early pathway toward minutes murky. 13. Derik Queen, Pelicans: Queen started at power forward next to Yves Missi and played three games before suffering a torn ligament in his left wrist that required surgery and will possibly delay the start of his season. That is disappointing, but Queen is legitimately skilled and versatile offensively, operating on both sides of pick-and-rolls, facing up and posting up. He had way too many turnovers (17) and made only 43.8 percent of his shots, but he also attempted 18 free throws and grabbed 32 rebounds. There's a lot to explore here for New Orleans once Queen gets healthy. 14. Carter Bryant, Spurs: Bryant started at power forward, small forward and shooting guard. You're probably going to need a screen to get away from Bryant's defense, and he challenged shots well enough to pile up 10 blocks in six games. He had a tough time offensively, making only 28 percent of his 50 shot attempts while making only 25 percent of his 32 3s, and he had way too many turnovers for an off-ball player (18). There are a lot of wings in San Antonio (Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, Julian Champagnie) who will make it challenging for Bryant to get minutes early. 15. Thomas Sorber, Oklahoma City Thunder: Sorber missed summer league to continue rehabilitation from the February surgery on his left foot. He's expected to be the third center behind Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams in Oklahoma City. 16. Yang Hansen, Portland Trail Blazers: Yang was arguably the most skilled center offensively among the rookies. He racked up 15 assists in four games, although he also had 15 turnovers. Yang can operate inverted pick-and-rolls, though he is most effective rolling to the basket. He also blocked eight shots. Portland drafted premier rim protector Donovan Clingan in last year's lottery and still has Robert Williams, so the Blazers can take their time with Yang. Advertisement 17. Joan Beringer, Minnesota Timberwolves: Beringer started at center and blocked six shots in his first game, catching Pelicans Fears and Missi twice each and Queen once. Nothing flashy here: Beringer didn't post up, and he didn't shoot 3s. But he also had only three turnovers and made 52.6 percent of his shots. The Timberwolves have Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid at center, but now they have a reserve rim protector as well. 18. Walter Clayton Jr., Jazz: Clayton came off the bench in one game as a backup point guard before starting at shooting guard next to Isaiah Collier for two games. Clayton missed the last four games with left hamstring soreness. His ability to shoot and pass will put him in the mix for playing time while competing with Collier and Keyonte George. 19. Nolan Traoré, Nets: Traoré started his summer league at point guard before slotting behind Demin against the Wizards. He made only 1 of 8 3s and 29.2 percent of his shots overall. Traoré is not a defensive playmaker, as he didn't get a single steal or block in 72 minutes. He also had an 8:7 assist-turnover ratio. He'll be in the mix for point guard minutes in Brooklyn. 20. Kasparas Jakučionis, Miami Heat: He started at shooting guard, point guard and once at small forward next to small guards Marcus Williams and Erik Stevenson. His size gives him a high floor, and he had 24 points on 7-of-12 shooting with a 4:2 assist-turnover ratio against the Atlanta Hawks. In his other five games, Jakučionis shot only 7 of 32 from the field with an 11:20 assist-turnover ratio. He should be a backup guard next season, but he's going to need to clean up his output to get an extended rotation opportunity. 21. Will Riley, Wizards: Riley started at small forward next to 2024 first-round pick Kyshawn George in his summer-league opener. He was completely off the ball in his two games and made the most of his opportunities, making 7 of 11 shots and having only one turnover. Washington doesn't believe in big power forwards right now, populating the roster instead with wings like Riley, George, Cam Whitmore and Justin Champagnie. 22. Drake Powell, Nets: Powell did not play in summer league because of left knee tendinopathy. He will likely start as a third-string wing in Brooklyn behind players such as Ziaire Williams, Keon Johnson and Terance Mann. 23. Asa Newell, Hawks: Newell started at power forward and made a start at center next to Nelly Joseph. He made four 3s against the Suns as part of a double-double and did a great job running the floor. He shot well from 3 but missed 10 of 18 free throws and had a 4:5 assist-turnover ratio. Newell should be the backup power forward in Atlanta, a team with talented but injury-prone starters in Jalen Johnson and Kristaps Porziņģis. Advertisement 24. Nique Clifford, Kings: Clifford was the only rookie to make the All-Summer League First Team. He started at small forward for the most part and had one game at shooting guard next to 2024 lottery pick Devin Carter. He was good in all aspects: running pick-and-rolls, making plays for others, making 3s, the fast break, defending and rebounding. I've called him a Josh Hart clone, and he should find a spot in Sacramento's second unit. 25. Jase Richardson, Orlando Magic: Richardson started at point guard in the summer-league opener and was shut down after two games. He was very efficient for a small guard, making 10 of 18 field goals and only committing two turnovers. He was 3-of-6 from 3 and 10-of-11 from the free-throw line. Richardson is going to have to beat out Anthony Black and Tyus Jones for reserve guard minutes. 26. Ben Saraf, Nets: Saraf came off the bench as a backup at both guard spots and also started a game against the New York Knicks next to Traoré. He held up well defensively and led the Nets with 11 assists. He shot poorly from everywhere: 30.4 percent from the field overall, 0-of-4 from 3 and 7-of-13 from the free-throw line. Saraf's size and left hand should help him in the battle for guard minutes in Brooklyn. 27. Danny Wolf, Nets: Wolf started at power forward next to Drew Timme in his summer-league opener. He also started a game at center next to Grant Nelson with Timme out. Wolf made plays defensively, with three steals and six blocks in three games, but was messy with the ball, compiling an 8:10 assist-turnover ratio. Like Queen, Wolf showed that he can do a little bit of everything offensively, on and off the ball. He likely will compete with Noah Clowney and Day'Ron Sharpe for reserve big minutes. 28. Hugo González, Boston Celtics: González started at small forward for the most part and was at shooting guard in the finale with last year's first-round pick Baylor Scheierman resting. He got a lot of opportunities to play out of ball screens, but it went poorly. González had an 11:13 assist-turnover ratio and made only 30.2 percent of his 43 shots. He blocked four shots in four games and should compete with Scheierman and Sam Hauser for reserve wing minutes. 29. Liam McNeeley, Hornets: He came off the bench in his first game and had 22 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and three 3s. McNeeley started at small forward in place of Knueppel for a game, then wound up missing the last four games due to right Achilles tendinitis. In two games, he made 6 of 14 3s, and he hunted good looks on the fast break. McNeeley could earn reserve wing minutes early with Josh Green recovering from shoulder surgery. 30. Yanic Konan Niederhäuser, Los Angeles Clippers: He started the first three games at center before missing the last two because of back pain. Konan Niederhäuser missed all four shots in the opener and didn't make a shot until his eighth quarter of play. He broke out somewhat in the third game with multiple dunks that highlighted his exceptional athleticism at 6-11 and 243 pounds. He blocked five shots and competed as a rim protector, but he has a long way to go and will be behind Ivica Zubac and Brook Lopez in LA. Advertisement 31. Rasheer Fleming, Suns: Every first-round pick is under contract, and Fleming is as well after being the first pick of the second round. He missed games with right knee soreness and came off the bench at power forward behind last year's second-round rookie Oso Ighodaro before starting the finale. Fleming is strictly an off-ball finisher, but an effective one both inside and outside of the paint. He had five steals in three games. 32. Noah Penda, Magic: Penda started at power forward for three games. He had too many turnovers (11) but is comfortable with the ball in his hands and flashed some range. He had five steals as well. He's under contract. 33. Sion James, Hornets: James started at shooting guard next to KJ Simpson. He missed the last four games with a left hip injury. He missed all of his 3s but can play on and off the ball and make solid decisions while being a tough on-ball defender. He's under contract. 34. Ryan Kalkbrenner, Hornets: He started at center in all six games the Hornets played. Kalkbrenner blocked 10 shots and was much more comfortable as a roller than he was posting up. He even made a couple of 3s, so he's not a one-dimensional option offensively. He's under contract and may have a good chance to earn an autumn role. 35. Johni Broome, Sixers: Broome started at power forward and center, while also coming off the bench behind Dominick Barlow and Adem Bona. He got very comfortable picking and popping for 3s. He's under contract. 36. Adou Thiero, Lakers: Thiero missed summer league because of a left knee injury suffered in February. He's under contract. 37. Chaz Lanier, Detroit Pistons: Lanier started at shooting guard, and he understands his assignment, as 42 of his 57 shot attempts were 3s. He was much more comfortable shooting 3s in the half court than he was on the fast break. He's under contract. Advertisement 38. Kam Jones, Indiana Pacers: Jones started at shooting guard next to RayJ Dennis and had a start at point guard as well. He was on the ball heavily operating out of ball screens and racked up 22 field goals and 21 assists in four games. He's under contract. 39. Alijah Martin, Raptors: Martin is the highest draft pick who is signed to a two-way contract to begin his career. He came off the bench at shooting guard. He certainly can be better on both ends of the floor, especially if he is going to be off the ball, but at least he can dunk like this: POSTERRR ALERTTT! 🤳 Alijah Martin with the ferocious SLAM!! @Raptors | #NBASummerLeague — NBA Summer League (@NBASummerLeague) July 12, 2025 40. Micah Peavy, Pelicans: Peavy started at small forward and missed games with an ankle injury. He's decent defensively but is strictly an off-ball player offensively and had no assists and five turnovers while making only one 3. He's under contract. 41. Koby Brea, Suns: Brea started at shooting guard and made 4 of 5 3s in his summer-league opener. He certainly can shoot, but he has to be a better decision-maker (2:9 assist-turnover ratio). He's on a two-way contract. 42. Maxime Raynaud, Kings: Raynaud started at center. Rebounds were hard to come by playing with Clifford and Isaac Jones, but Raynaud held up well defensively. He can post up and shoot 3s but was more helpful to the Kings simply screening and being where he was supposed to be offensively. He's the lowest draft pick signed to a standard contract. 43. Jamir Watkins, Wizards: Watkins came off the bench as a reserve wing and then started once Washington shut down its first-round picks. He had seven steals and three blocks against the Sixers, then six steals against the Knicks. He's incredibly active but struggled to make shots in the half court. He's on a two-way contract. 44. Brooks Barnhizer, Thunder: Barnhizer started at small forward and rarely gave up buckets. He rebounded well and racked up 21 steals in eight games. He feasted on the fast break but is not a strong shooter right now, so he relies on off-ball activity to score. He's signed to a two-way contract. 45. Rocco Zikarsky, Timberwolves: He backed up fellow rookie Beringer and last year's two-way contract rookie Jesse Edwards at center. Zikarsky had some minutes playing next to Beringer as well. He's a classic two-years-away-from-being-two-years-away player. He's signed to a two-way contract. Advertisement 46. Amari Williams, Celtics: Williams started at center and is the highest draft pick still unsigned. He didn't stand out much on either end of the floor and finished with a 7:8 assist-turnover ratio while making only 44.4 percent from the field. 47. Bogoljub Marković, Milwaukee Bucks: Marković came off the bench as a reserve power forward in every game. He's not a good 3-point shooter, but he's very good on the fast break. He's still unsigned. 48. Javon Small, Grizzlies: Small came off the bench in two games as a backup point guard. He had a 20:3 assist-turnover ratio in summer league, which feels impossible to do. He's signed to a two-way contract. 49. Tyrese Proctor, Cleveland Cavaliers: Proctor started at shooting guard and point guard. He had a 35-point game in which he made all nine free throws against the Kings. He operated plenty of pick-and-rolls and maintained a solid 15:5 assist-turnover ratio in four games. He's under contract. 50. Kobe Sanders, Clippers: A backup point guard at 6-7, he started the finale and had nine turnovers. He's signed to a two-way contract. 51. Mohamed Diawara, Knicks: He came off the bench and started games at power forward. He's not a good shooter, but he can do a little of everything offensively. He'll soon learn what 'raw' means. He's still unsigned. 52. Alex Toohey, Golden State Warriors: Toohey missed the first two games in San Francisco before starting games at small forward, power forward and center. He had a whale of a time trying to score from anywhere, even on the fast break, and made only 26.2 percent of his 42 attempts overall. He did have seven steals and 11 offensive rebounds and displayed positional size. He's still unsigned. 53. John Tonje, Jazz: Tonje missed the first five summer-league games with an ankle injury. He started at small forward. He played well against the Spurs (16 points, 4-of-7 3s, three assists, no turnovers) and struggled against the Bulls (four points, 1-of-9 field goals, 0-of-6 3s, six turnovers). He's still unsigned. Advertisement 54. Taelon Peter, Pacers: Peter came off the bench as a reserve guard but also had a start next to fellow rookie Jones at shooting guard. He only made 4 of 16 3s but still made 56.7 percent of his shots overall because he can fly on the break, cut and finish. He can defend as well. He's signed to a two-way contract. 55. Lachlan Olbrich, Bulls: Olbrich started at center and looked overmatched offensively: 40 percent on field goals, only 1 of 5 3s and a 9:11 assist-turnover ratio. He did have four steals. He's signed to a two-way contract. 56. Will Richard, Warriors: Richard missed the first game in San Francisco before starting at small forward and shooting guard. He's a shooter who only made 20.7 percent from 3, but he racked up 11 steals in six games. He's still unsigned. 57. Max Shulga, Celtics: Shulga started at point guard and did a decent job of making plays for others out of ball screens. He compiled a 19:4 assist-turnover ratio but couldn't score (24.1 percent field goals, 21.4 percent 3s). He had nine steals in five games. He's still unsigned. 58. Saliou Niang, Cavaliers: Niang came off the bench as a reserve wing, then started at small forward. He's strictly an energy player right now but flashed on the offensive glass with eight offensive rebounds in three games. He's still unsigned. 59. Jahmai Mashack, Grizzlies: Off the bench, Mashack racked up the maximum 10 fouls in just under 23 minutes in his first summer-league game in Salt Lake City. He was used on the ball often as a reserve guard and also started a game at small forward next to Cam Spencer and fellow rookie Small. He showed that he can pass (22:10 assist-turnover ratio) and shoot (5-of-12 3s) well enough to get his ferocious defense (10 steals, six blocks in five games) on the floor. He also added 20 rebounds. He's still unsigned. (Top photo of Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper: Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Knicks hopeful to see a second-year leap from former first-round pick
The days of the New York Knicks' younger inexperienced players not seeing the court are over. With Mike Brown now in the fold, it's safe to assume the Knicks will be less reluctant to play their younger, unproven talent than they were under Tom Thibodeau. For players such as Pacome Dadiet, this is good news to hear. Keith Smith of Spotrac spoke with an anonymous Knicks scout at the NBA Summer League. The scout told Smith that the hope is to get Dadiet, and the team's other young players in the mix in some way, shape, or form. 'This is a tough rotation to crack. We have a lot of NBA veterans who are going to play a lot,' they said, per Smith. 'But Pacome (Dadiet) looked a lot more comfortable this year than last year. Tyler (Kolek) got some run last year and we're comfortable with playing him more this year. Ariel (Hukporti) was forced to play at time last year and he's more ready if that happens again this year. And Kevin (McCullar Jr.) and MarJon (Beauchamp) both looked awesome out here (Las Vegas). We're still figuring out the rest of the roster, but we hope all of those guys factor in somehow.' Dadiet was selected 25th overall by the Knicks in the 2024 NBA Draft, and played sparingly with the big league club, spending most of the year in the G-League. Dadiet appeared in 18 games with the Knicks last season, and averaged 1.7 points per game in 6.2 minutes of action. In the G-League, he averaged 14.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. While barely sniffing the court in his rookie season, the Knicks hope they will see him have more of an impact in year 2. The 19-year-old has shown plenty of potential, but he needs to be on the court in order to showcase it more.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Evaluating Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga options as free agency stalemate drags on
The post Evaluating Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga options as free agency stalemate drags on appeared first on ClutchPoints. Over three weeks have passed since the NBA free agency window opened, and there is still no word on when a resolution will come for the Golden State Warriors and restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. When the Dubs first drafted Kuminga, they did so because the young wing had the potential to be the next guy in Golden State to help usher in a new era. Maybe Kuminga can still be this type of player given all of his untapped potential, but it continues to look unlikely that his long-term future will be with the Warriors. James Wiseman is no longer with the Dubs, and neither is Jordan Poole. All that remains from the 'two-timeline approach' Bob Myers attempted to put together is Kuminga and Moses Moody. Whether or not Kuminga remains with the Warriors is the biggest question remaining this offseason, and it is not far-fetched to believe he is the next young talent to depart Golden State. After all, he has been at odds with head coach Steve Kerr over the last year, and Kerr has stated multiple times that he doesn't view the 22-year-old as an ideal fit with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler. At this point, Kuminga and the Warriors are stuck in a holding pattern. This is especially true after the two sides met in Las Vegas during NBA Summer League. Is there still potential for a Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade? The Warriors and Kuminga's side have talked at length multiple times since their season ended in the Western Conference semifinals. While these conversations have been described as very 'fluid and open-ended,' no progress has truly been made between the two parties, sources told ClutchPoints. Overall, it has become clear that Kuminga would rather continue his career with another team than with the Warriors. At NBA Summer League, the Warriors again met with Kuminga's representation to talk about all of the different options available at this point in the offseason. With no sign-and-trade materializing, the common belief around the league is that Kuminga would return to the Warriors on a smaller contract than he is asking for, with the understanding he will be moved before the trade deadline in February. Well, Kuminga and his camp haven't come down on their asking price, and the Warriors have not increased their offer, which sits between $20 million and $23 million per season on a smaller contract than what is desired by the player. As a result, Kuminga and his representation have been in contact with several other teams around the league in attempts to kick-start a market. Near the start of free agency, it was the Sacramento Kings who made an aggressive push for Kuminga. The Kings have signaled that they are willing to part ways with talents like Devin Carter, Dario Saric, and a protected first-round pick for the Warriors' forward. This is a proposal that Golden State has not given any thought to and immediately turned down. Malik Monk is another name who has come up in trade talks from Sacramento this offseason, but his contract isn't one that the Dubs have expressed interest in. Keegan Murray and Keon Ellis are two players the Warriors would likely want in a potential sign-and-trade with their in-division rivals. However, the Kings have given zero indications that they will part ways with either player, especially given the notion that Kuminga wants out. The other issue surrounding the Kings and their Kuminga pursuit is that they are hard-capped at the first apron and only have about $7 million in wiggle room. So, if the Kings were to bring Kuminga in via a sign-and-trade on a contract worth at least $25 million per season, they would need to find a way to cut at least $18 million in salary, hence the talk of Monk being the player who would be moved. Right now, there aren't any indications suggesting that the Kings are on the verge of striking a deal here. Other teams with rumored interest in Kuminga are the Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns, and Brooklyn Nets. Then again, the Nets, who have plenty of cap space, have yet to express serious interest in Kuminga. If they wanted to, Brooklyn could sign Kuminga to an offer sheet right now and escalate this situation. This doesn't seem like a path the Nets will go down this summer, but things could change quickly based on what happens with Cam Thomas' situation. The Bulls are also in a holding pattern since Josh Giddey is a restricted free agent. While Giddey wants to be paid like Jalen Suggs and Immanuel Quickley, two guards who recently got five-year extensions that pay them over $30 million per season, Chicago has made it clear that they won't be giving the Australian guard this kind of money. If the Bulls are to pursue Kuminga, they won't be getting rid of guard Coby White to do so, sources said. It has been made clear the Bulls hold no interest in trading White, and it's also unlikely Golden State would pursue veteran center Nikola Vucevic in a sign-and-trade for Kuminga. As a result, players like Ayo Dosunmu and Jalen Smith loom large as potential assets Chicago can offer up for Kuminga. In terms of the Suns' interest in Kuminga, this has existed since the trade deadline when Golden State was on the verge of acquiring Kevin Durant, sources said. Kuminga was one of the main assets who would have gone to Phoenix in the deal that was basically agreed upon before Durant shut it down. Phoenix is not actively searching up and down their roster to find a way to add Kuminga, but that level of interest from the trade deadline has not gone away. If they can land the young forward at a reasonable price, both contract-wise and in terms of assets going out, the Suns would be open to doing so. So far, the Suns are basically in the same boat as the Kings. Their offer, as previously reported to include Grayson Allen, isn't of interest to the Warriors. Although Allen is a good player on the perimeter, he still has three more years left on his contract, including the 2025-26 season. Golden State does not want to run into a problem where its cap sheets are spread out across multiple years, and they are currently operating on a two-year window with its current core. Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green are all under contract through the 2026-27 season. Steve Kerr's contract runs through then as well. The Dubs' main problem is that there simply isn't a market for Kuminga right now. Since they aren't getting offers that intrigue them and the two sides remain far apart in negotiations, the next question many are asking is whether Kuminga would consider taking a chance on himself for one year. A qualifying offer agreement is Warriors' worst nightmare If things go south between Kuminga and the Warriors in negotiations, and the team continues to essentially hold him hostage when it comes to sign-and-trade scenarios, then the 22-year-old may be forced to take a bet on himself. As a restricted free agent, Kuminga was extended a $7.9 million qualifying offer by Golden State. This is a standard one-year offer that must be given to a player entering restricted free agency, assuming the team wants to maintain its rights on said player. That is the case here with Kuminga and the Warriors, as they don't want to lose him for nothing. The longer this stalemate drags on, the more questions will be asked about whether Kuminga will take control of the situation and possibly accept his qualifying offer. In doing so, he would basically lock himself in with the Warriors on a one-year contract that contains a no-trade clause. Golden State would not be able to flip Kuminga before the trade deadline without his permission, and he would become an unrestricted free agent in 2026. Essentially, the Warriors would lose complete control of Kuminga and not be able to do anything about it. However, why would Kuminga and his camp do this other than to create a nightmare scenario for the Warriors? Not only would Kuminga run the risk of getting injured with Golden State before signing a long-term, high-paying contract, but he would also be stuck in a system that doesn't fit him. If he were to accept this qualifying offer, what is stopping the Warriors from continuing to bench him at times and this becoming a toxic situation? This isn't a smart move for Kuminga early in his career, as it's not like the market would change all of a sudden for him after one year unless he were to have an All-Star-like season with the Warriors. So, if there isn't a sign-and-trade right now and the qualifying offer is just a threat at this point, when should we expect a resolution to Golden State's offseason? When will the Jonathan Kuminga situation be resolved? This is the biggest question Warriors fans want to know. There is no deadline for Kuminga to sign, and he has no reason to be in a rush. On the flip side of things, the Warriors obviously want to find a solution sooner rather than later, as it has held up their entire offseason to this point. The common belief among NBA personnel and rival teams who pursued both players is that Al Horford and De'Anthony Melton have agreements in place with the Warriors. However, neither player can sign and officially hit the Dubs' cap sheet until Kuminga's situation is figured out because Golden State needs every dollar below the first apron to maintain flexibility in discussions. If the Warriors were to sign players to minimum deals or utilize their mid-level exception in Horford's case, then any other team could swoop in and sign Kuminga to an offer sheet. As a result, Golden State would be in 'checkmate' since they wouldn't be able to match Kuminga's deal with another team. In recent days, it has also become clear that the Warriors' interest in Seth Curry, Steph's brother, is mutual. Seth was a player we reported on last week for Golden State, with league personnel beginning to link him to the Dubs during NBA Summer League. While anything is possible, the Kuminga situation isn't expected to have a clear resolution entering August. Until either side budges or a team swoops in with a valid sign-and-trade offer, the Warriors will continue to go around in circles with the young forward. A return to the Warriors is still in play. Should this occur, then all eyes will shift to January 15, the date when Kuminga would become available to be dealt before February's trade deadline. Related: Warriors rumors: Insider confirms Seth Curry 'mutual interest' Related: Warriors' Stephen Curry tells funny bowling story involving LeBron, 4-year-old Bronny
