Warriors reject Kuminga for Sika Paul needs to be out for 4-6 weeks: trade day is most likely to be on hold

On January 8, Beijing time, according to NBC reporter Kurt Helin, the Warriors and Raptors negotiated a Siakam trade, but refused to add Kuminga to the deal. Before the trade deadline (Feb. 9) this season, the most likely option for the Warriors is to stay put. Separately, Woj reports that Paul will undergo surgery on his left hand next week and is expected to be out of action for 4-6 weeks.

The Warriors refused to send Kuminga

Kurt Helin reported that the Warriors and the Raptors were in trade talks for Siakam, and the Raptors asked the Warriors to add Kuminga to the trade chips, but the Warriors were reluctant to do so. While there are multiple teams interested in Sika, the Raptors have fewer options, according to sources. It was previously reported that the Raptors' asking price is extremely high, and it is difficult to send Sika away in the short term, and they still have the possibility of renewing Sika's 4-year 200 million salary cap.

Helin said the Warriors could replace Kuminga with Moody, but the Raptors want more than that, they want to get one more promising young man or draft pick.

Separately, reporter Michael Grange reported that the Warriors were reluctant to trade Kuminga because they believed the player had the potential to become a star. In the Warriors' view, Kuminga can now serve as an assistant to Curry and become an important member of the team in the post-Curry era. So far this season, Kuminga has played in 34 games, averaging 12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. Previously, Kuminga was dissatisfied with Cole, but after the two communicated, the relationship improved.

Paul will be out of action for 4-6 weeks

Woj also provided an update on Paul, who reported that Paul will undergo surgery for a fractured left hand next week and is expected to be out for four to six weeks. Previously, medical experts had analyzed Paul's injury, believing that he would be out for 4-8 weeks, and said that considering Paul's history of left hand injury, the more likely outcome is 6-8 weeks.

Paul withdrew early from the game against the Pistons, and the team officially announced that he suffered a fractured left hand. Woj reports that in his 19-season career, Paul has undergone five surgeries on his left hand and six on his right. In Paul's absence, rookie guard Podzemski is expected to play a bigger role in the Warriors' rotation.

So far this season, Paul has played in 32 games for the Warriors, averaging 8.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

The Warriors may not be on the trade day

Kurt Helin reports that with Paul set to be sidelined for at least a month after undergoing hand surgery, which adds to the challenge of any trade involving him, and the Warriors' reluctance to send Kuminga away and the belief that he has the potential to become a star player in the future, the Warriors are likely to choose to stay put-and-go before the deadline.

The Warriors' most realistic plan is to try to get back healthy, wait and see what the team can achieve when they return, and then make some tough choices in the summer.