The Washington Wizards were aiming to add a high-potential prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft and had their sights set on Ace Bailey. But after the Utah Jazz selected Bailey, the Wizards are now reportedly shifting focus to free agency for a similar kind of upside swing.
As reported by Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Washington has now joined the pursuit of Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, a restricted free agent drawing interest from several other NBA teams. Other franchises in the mix reportedly include the Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets, and Sacramento Kings.
Kuminga’s numbers last season included 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 45.4 percent from the floor and 30.5 percent from deep. However, those figures marked a dip from the previous season, when the 22-year-old had a breakthrough year, averaging 16.1 points on 52.9 percent shooting. At times, his role with Golden State diminished during the recent campaign.
Despite the step back, the 6-foot-8 forward showed flashes of his upside late in the season. During Games 2 through 5 in the playoff matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kuminga posted 24.3 points per game while shooting nearly 39 percent from three and over 55 percent overall.
The main roadblock for any team hoping to land Kuminga is Golden State’s asking price. According to Slater, the Warriors are seeking a young player plus a future first-round pick in any sign-and-trade deal. So far, none of the interested teams have shown a willingness to meet that demand.
For now, Golden State appears firm on its trade terms and is expected to match any offer sheet Kuminga receives if those terms aren’t met. While no deal appears close at the moment, the Wizards’ interest suggests they’re at least exploring the possibility of betting on Kuminga’s raw talent and long-term ceiling at a potentially discounted cost.
