The season is barely a week old, but the trade mills have already started to work. In particular, the talk in the Bay is growing loud. The prospect who has often been involved in these talks has been Jonathan Kuminga. In the past, there has been well-documented friction between him and Kerr. Prior to the season, they managed to work out some peace. “I’m excited to be coached under him for my fourth year,” said the dating forward.

However, five games into the season, Kuminga has found himself on the bench in the absence of Stephen Curry. His initial reaction displayed some dissatisfaction. “What am I supposed to do … ask why am I not starting?” he told Kendra Andrews. Additionally, he is still without an extension as the two parties fail to agree on a mutually satisfactory fee. With all that in consideration, Sam Amick feels the Bay might be ready to package him for another disgruntled star.

Jimmy Butler has been on the Warriors’ radar since the departure of Klay Thompson. While their intentions weren’t as strong, his estranged relationship with Pat Riley made him an enticing seek. In his recent reports, Amick claims that interest is still very much lingering within the Warriors’ front office.

Similar to Jonathan Kuminga, Butler is playing out the last season of his contract. When speaking about an extension, he didn’t entertain any ideas of moving. So far, he has averaged 16.8 points and 2.2 steals per game, playing a well-balanced role within the Heat. But due to the unrest, it almost seems inevitable that he will free himself of the Heat once his contract runs out.

But if needed, should the Warriors make a move at the deadline?

The complexities of the Warriors and Jimmy Butler being together this season

With the depth of shooting present within the Warriors, a bona fide postseason star like Jimmy Butler could round up their roster. He isn’t the best three-point threat, but can turn the tempo around when required. Furthermore, with Curry on the floor, he will have ample space to go to his mid-range and generate an offense. The defensive upside doesn’t have to be spoken about.

However, a move at the deadline could possibly lead to the Bay extinguishing their depth. Currently, Jimmy Butler is owed $48 million in his last season. In contrast, Kuminga only accounts for $7 million. In order to facilitate any trade with them, the Warriors will have to add a major salary. That includes either Andrew Wiggins, their leading scorer so far, or Draymond Green, a legacy forward.

Hence, the only suitable option seems to be letting Jonathan Kuminga play out this season and assessing his utility from there. Still young and explosive, his last two showing off the bench have been ravishing. Additionally, if he performs well, the Heat won’t mind hoarding a contract in excess of $30 million either.

For Vice City, they would receive a daring forward who becomes the space creator for a team with shooters all around. His defensive tenacity stands on equal footing with Butler if age is taken into account. The trade though is hard to make sense from the Bay’s perspective. Steve Kerr has exemplified the Warriors’ identity to be akin to volume shooting. Jimmy Butler doesn’t have the natural tendency to jack up threes as is with his system.

In that sense, allowing Kuminga to develop a three-point shot, one he has constantly worked on since the summer could become a better bargain. Youth would ensure he can be a long-term piece, even staying after the last stage of the Curry-Green tandem withers. If you were the Warriors, what would you do? Let us know your views in the comments below.