3 non-Dejounte Murray trade targets Nets must consider
By Mark Nilon
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2. Jonathan Kuminga
With the rumors suggesting that impending free agent Nic Claxton could price himself out of Brooklyn this coming offseason, with some predicting he could receive as much as $21 million per year on the open market, many believe that the ball club could look to trade him ahead of this year's deadline to avoid possibly losing him for nothing come summertime.
Considering he holds a salary of just $8.7 million this year, unless added to a larger package, his services would likely only be able to net either future draft capital or smaller-scale contracts in return.
Though picks are always coveted, should the Nets adhere to the rumors that they wish to add more talent around Mikal Bridges in the immediate future, one option they could look toward is Golden State Warriors wing, Jonathan Kuminga.
Selected seventh overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, since coming to the Dubs the former G League Ignite standout has struggled to find his place within their win-now, veteran-favored rotation.
As a result, now in year three reports have surfaced that Kuminga has "lost faith" in the team's abilities to use his full potential and is open to departing from the franchise.
For a center-needy club like the Warriors, a swap of Claxton for Kuminga could be an idea worthy of strong consideration.
JK puts it BACK
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 15, 2024
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While Claxton would compliment Golden State's frontcourt with stout defense and rebounding skills, Kuminga would supply the Nets with another high-energy youngster who, with his astounding athleticism and flashes of tremendous two-way potential, sports the making of a true difference-maker if put in the right setting.
Even with his inconsistent role, through 39 games played this year the 21-year-old is posting solid averages of 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists on 51.3 percent shooting from the floor.
With the proper development, adding his upside to a lineup already consisting of Bridges could be a major grab for the Nets moving forward, and could even be a massive compliment to the soon-to-returning Ben Simmons and his facilitating abilities.