Lakers and Warriors negotiate Kuminga trade! Lakers' 3-for-1 offer revealed, Warriors show no interest

On January 27th Beijing time, reporter Sidery reported that the Lakers and Warriors recently held brief trade talks regarding Kuminga. The Warriors have privately made it clear that they have no genuine interest in the trade assets offered by the Lakers for Kuminga.

According to reports, the Lakers' proposal consisted of Vincent and Kleber's soon-to-expire contracts plus a 2032 second-round pick. Sidery noted that the Warriors showed no real enthusiasm for these assets, and the reasons behind this are quite understandable.

From the standpoint of salary matching, this trade framework is theoretically valid. Vincent is in the final year of his contract, earning $11.5 million this season; Kleber also holds an expiring deal with a salary around $11 million. Combining these two contracts with a future second-round pick, the numbers add up perfectly on paper, but the logic behind this trade is completely flawed.

The 23-year-old Kuminga is still regarded within the Warriors organization as a highly promising talent. This season, he averages 12.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, shooting 45.4% from the field. Although his three-point percentage is only 32.1%, his value has never relied solely on his outside shooting efficiency.

He is an explosive and athletic player, a versatile defender, and one of the few young Warriors who can create scoring opportunities at the rim independently without the team having to design specific plays. Additionally, he recently signed a two-year contract worth $46.8 million, with a $22.5 million salary this season.

Comparing this to the Lakers' offered assets, the difference is clear. The 33-year-old Kleber averages just 2.1 points and 1.9 rebounds this season, shooting 32.5% from the field and a dismal 23.5% from three; the 29-year-old Vincent contributes 4.7 points, 1.3 assists, and 0.9 rebounds per game, shooting 33.0% overall and 36.0% from beyond the arc.

The disparity in draft picks further undermines the basis for trade discussions. For a team still confident in its championship contention, a 2032 second-round pick holds almost no value. If the Lakers were willing to offer a 2030 first-round pick, the trade might have some room for negotiation. Yet even then, whether one first-round pick alone justifies trading a 23-year-old, high-potential forward remains debatable. Notably, this 2032 second-round pick currently holds virtually no trade value in this season's market, a consensus shared by NBA front offices.

This trade must be viewed in the context of both teams' current situations. The Lakers stand fifth in the Western Conference with a 27-17 record and are actively seeking a tall, athletic forward to pair with Luka Doncic and LeBron James—players who combine defensive prowess with finishing ability.

Kuminga fits the Lakers' needs perfectly, which explains their interest in him.

The Warriors' situation is quite different. Sitting eighth in the West with a 26-21 record, they aim to maximize the remaining championship window of Stephen Curry’s career. With Jimmy Butler sidelined due to an ACL tear, the Warriors are searching for ready-to-play, proven contributors. Trading Kuminga for two role players on expiring contracts clearly doesn't support their championship goals.

This is why the Warriors quickly rejected the trade. Although the Lakers' offer looks reasonable on paper, from both a basketball and team-building timeline perspective, it falls far short of the Warriors' expectations.