The Utah Jazz re-acquired Georges Niang, and it was immediately confirmed that the plan is for them to keep him. Niang might not be a star, but a rebuilding team like Utah could certainly use his voice. While the team could also use more young talent, it shouldn't necessarily have to come at the cost of Niang, but this proposed trade outlines just that.
Sports Illustrated's Thomas Carelli outlined a trade between the Jazz and Golden State Warriors that was pretty straight forward.
Warriors get: Niang, 2027 Minnesota unprotected first-round pick, 2028 Utah unprotected first-round pick
Jazz get: Jonathan Kuminga (sign-and-trade)
Carelli didn't really explain why the Jazz would do this, but explained why they would trade their draft assets.
"The Jazz have (8) first round picks in the next four drafts. They have assets to deal, and thus, this trade can works. The more poker chips you have, the more gambles that you can make," Carelli wrote.
Uh... sure? The Jazz are in a position to start utilizing their draft assets, but using them on Kuminga is not exactly a surefire investment. The talent is undeniable, and he may have been on their radar during those trade talks between the Warriors and Jazz about Lauri Markkanen, but whether that translates into winning anything remains to be seen.
That's why he and Golden State have been at a stalemate with one another. It's not outlandish to believe the Jazz could be interested in Kuminga, but if they are, it would beg one question pertaining to a trade idea like this.
Why would the Jazz give up anything for someone they can add down the line?
Reading the tea leaves on the Kuminga situation, whether he returns to the Warriors or not, it doesn't sound like he will be on the team for much longer. He may accept the qualifying offer or he might take a short extension. If that's how things turn out, Utah can pounce on that situation.
But giving up assets for someone that will likely be available just seems like they're unnecessarily going out of their way to pay up that probably won't require that much to bring him to the team. Plus, with the Jazz's current timeline, they're not desperate to add someone like Kuminga, let alone give up two first-round picks for him.
The Jazz would not do a trade like this, but it has the right idea in mind. Utah is in position to do that, and they will likely start doing so in 2026. Doing it now and doing it to get Kuminga just doesn't sound like it would fit with their current plans.