LAS VEGAS — There is a different vibe surrounding NBA Summer League this year. Unlike in previous seasons, where free agency and the trade season dragged well into the summer’s showcase in Sin City, many teams around the league have already completed their offseason homework. Of course, there are still major questions left on the board, specifically regarding Bradley Beal and Jonathan Kuminga.
Whether you are in line for ice cream on the concourse of the Thomas & Mack Center or watching the likes of Cooper Flagg and this year’s rookie class take the court, these two players keep coming up in conversations between league personnel. Whereas Beal’s situation will directly impact the Phoenix Suns in terms of dead money on their books for years to come, Kuminga’s ordeal is different.
The Golden State Warriors entered the offseason with a major question to answer about their 22-year-old forward. Kuminga, who was drafted seventh overall by the Dubs in 2021, entered restricted free agency with his future very much up for discussion.
Despite showing flashes of being a high-level, borderline star-like talent who still has an abundance of untapped potential, Kuminga never seemed to carve out a consistent role where he could showcase his abilities over the last four years in Steve Kerr’s rotations. It took Stephen Curry going down with a hamstring injury in the playoffs for Kuminga to showcase what he could do.
After these performances and knowing that teams held interest in the dynamic and athletic forward entering the offseason, it appeared as if Golden State would have competition, and potentially a path to pursuing a sign-and-trade, for Kuminga. Well, free agency negotiations began on June 30, and nothing has happened with the Warriors’ forward.
What do people around the league make of Kuminga’s situation with the Warriors at this point in the offseason? Also, as reported on July 7, Beal and the Suns are inching closer to a buyout. When will this buyout officially be announced, and where will Beal ultimately end up?
These two topics, as well as a few others, have been at the forefront of NBA Summer League talks. This is where everything stands after two days in Las Vegas.
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