Sacramento Kings Pass on Trae Young, Pursue Jonathan Kuminga

Merlin sees Sacramento passing on Trae Young. League sources say the Kings "do not have interest," but GM Scott Perry remains engaged with Golden State about Jonathan Kuminga. There is "mutual interest," yet talks are stuck over a 2030 protected first round pick and the Warriors not wanting to absorb a multiyear deal they view as "negative value." Malik Monk is called "a nonstarter" in these discussions. Merlin remembers Perry visiting Kuminga in Miami and knows relationships matter. Kuminga, a 6-foot-7 wing whose career has "stalled," offers upside the Kings crave amid an 8-29 slump, but Golden State has "postured" to keep him if nothing appealing appears. The pieces could align, but current price and contract friction make a deadline surprise unlikely.