Spurs just absolutely screwed the Kings out of Jonathan Kuminga

Now that the Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga have finally agreed to a contract extension, the San Antonio Spurs indirectly played a role in him staying in Golden State. The Sacramento Kings were considered to be the top landing spot for Kuminga, were he to be traded.

However, there was a disagreement over pick protections. The Kings were likely wary about giving up a lightly protected future first-round pick to the Warriors, which torpedoed any potential deal to land Kuminga.

On the face of it, that makes sense with the Kings being one of the worst teams of the last 20 years, having made the playoffs just once during that span. However, part of the reason the Kings may have been reluctant to give up a future first is because they already owe a pick swap to the Spurs thanks to the Harrison Barnes trade.

The Spurs cost the Sacramento Kings Jonathan Kuminga

The Spurs have a 2031 pick swap, meaning that they have the right to swap picks with Sacramento no matter where the Kings' selection ultimately ends up. For instance, the Spurs could have the third-best record in the league in 2031.

Meanwhile, the Kings could have the seventh-worst record in the NBA, then the Spurs could take their pick and end up with a high lottery selection. That move alone should get someone fired in Sacramento.

Worse yet, they failed to recoup that pick when they agreed to trade De'Aaron Fox to the Spurs. Now, San Antonio has not only two former Kings starting for them, but they also have a potential future lottery pick courtesy of Sacramento.

The Spurs have taken the Kings for all their worth

The Kings have little to show for it. They have an awkward roster featuring several stars that don't pair well together. They were also hesitant to make a move to land Kuminga given that they are already out of their own future first-round pick.

Had they not made the Barnes trade and the Fox trade, they wouldn't be stuck with DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. Even with three all-stars, the Spurs could finish with a better record than the Kings, with Sacramento partly to thank.

All told, Golden State being able to keep Kuminga in the short term likely came with an assist from San Antonio. They sabotaged the Kings after trading with them, robbing them not once but twice, keeping them from landing Kuminga.