The dust from NBA free agency 2025 has all but settled, with the Trail Blazers still yet to sign a new player. Portland traded Anfernee Simons for Jrue Holiday, reached a buyout with Deandre Ayton, and let Jabari Walker's contract expire, but the team seems determined to avoid handing out any new paychecks this offseason. However, one avenue might still remain for the Trail Blazers to improve their roster heading into 2025-26.
Enter Jonathan Kuminga: a six-foot-eight power forward from the Golden State Warriors.
Extension discussions between Kuminga and the Warriors are murky, and Portland is one of the few rebuilding teams with a few win-now players to offer them in a possible exchange. If the market for Kuminga breaks their way, Portland could have the right combination of pieces to send the Warriors, acquiring Kuminga via sign-and-trade.
Jonathan Kuminga would fit the Blazers' timeline perfectly
An elite athlete with limited range to his jumpshot (33.2% from three in his career), Kuminga averaged 14.3 points for Golden State last year in just 25.3 minutes per contest. Kuminga fits Portland's timeline, is still available, and has shown flashes that he can be a real impact guy in the NBA.
The good news for the Trail Blazers is that Kuminga is still just 22 and coming off a rookie deal with a team that seemed reluctant to play him in serious situations. These are the types of situations that give young players a chance to gain experience. Situations that the Trail Blazers were in all the time last year, particularly at Moda, playing in front of the home crowd.
Cronin (along with Portland coach Chauncey Billups) seems to have a vision for this team's trajectory. A commitment to the young guys on the roster, to a culture of accountability, and to leaning even further into their already emerging identity of big, switchy, defensive intensity.
Could Kuminga fit into that identity? Absolutely. But how well could he fit on Portland's roster? The answer to that likely comes down to price.
Portland should target Kuminga, but only if the price is right
Kuminga fits the Trail Blazers' identity and timeline, but he fails to address the roster's most glaring holes. Portland needs shooting and passing, perhaps the two aspects most lacking from Kuminga's game. Still, Portland lacks a surefire star among its young guys, despite encouraging progress last season. One more potential breakout player could be worth the risk.
In a world without salary caps, a straight-up swap of Jerami Grant for Kuminga could benefit all parties. The Warriors will need a power forward to replace Kuminga, and Kuminga fits the Blazers' timeline. But the cap does exist, and it's more stringent than ever. Grant is owed $102 million over the next three years, a number that's likely to deter Golden State given their luxury tax situation.
Still, stranger things have happened.
As we've seen over the past few years, Portland is rarely part of an even transaction. They either get a steal (Avdija and Camara each come to mind) or they get robbed (think both Jrue Holiday deals). If this thing breaks Portland's way, there is a chance they could capitalize on a shrinking market for both the Warriors and Kuminga. If so, Portland might luck out and land Kuminga at a discount. But if unable to, I'd recommend Portland not overextend to add him, enticing as his talent and athleticism may be.
A sign-and-trade for Kuminga could be the sort of gamble that would benefit Portland in a big way, but only if the salary and asset exchange broke their way. Disheartening as it may be for Trail Blazers fans, 2025-26 won't be about wins. It will be about growth. There's no need for Cronin to rush in just because Kuminga is out there.