Pacers, Pelicans Linked to Massive Trade for $47 Million ...

By Alex Kirschenbaum

Contributing Sports Writer

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Two of the league's most hapless and injury-riddled squads are apparently eyeing an influx of athleticism and upside in a possible blockbuster trade.

According to a new report from Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the 4-16 Indiana Pacers and the 3-17 New Orleans Pelicans have been circling embattled Golden State Warriors power forward Jonathan Kuminga.

Still just 23, the 6-foot-7 pro's game appears to remain at odds with what Warriors head coach Steve Kerr wants to do. He operates best with the ball in his hands for long stretches and is only fitfully committed on defense.

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On a struggling 11-10 Golden State squad led by ball-dominant future Hall of Famers Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green, Kuminga has had trouble getting the kinds of touches and minutes he clearly craves.

Restricted free agency negotiations with Kuminga lasted into the start of team training camp in October this year, although he ultimately agreed to a two-year, $46.8 million deal — with a $24.3 million player option for the 2026-27 season.

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“Along with the Pacers, another team the Warriors will likely talk with about Kuminga is the New Orleans Pelicans," Siegel writes. "Both Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III are players the Warriors have great interest in, and they are the type of versatile wings the Dubs would want in a deal involving Kuminga.”

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Adding long, two-way forwards like Jones and Murphy who know their roles but still possess the athleticism of Kuminga would seem to suit a win-now Warriors squad perfectly.

Conversely, Kuminga — who won a title in 2022 as a fringe rotation piece rookie for Golden State — could thrive for a New Orleans squad that never seems to know when two-time All-Star forward Zion Williamson will play. He's out Sunday night for a game against the Los Angeles Lakers, having already missed half of his team's 20 contests this season.

Indiana, like New Orleans, sports a multi-time All-Star, Pascal Siakam, as its starting power forward. But during a lost season, the Pacers could easily experiment with Kuminga as its starting small forward over Aaron Nesmith — or could shift Nesmith down a position to shooting guard and demote Bennedict Mathurin to a bench role. The Warriors might also be interested in a less ball-dominant, more defensively-inclined forward like Nesmith as part of a return trade package.

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