In a revelation that has sparked heated debate among NBA fans, ESPN recently reported that the Golden State Warriors passed on a golden opportunity to acquire Alex Caruso, the defensive dynamo who played a pivotal role in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2025 NBA championship run. The Chicago Bulls had offered Caruso to the Warriors a couple of seasons ago, but the deal fell apart due to one man’s unwavering belief in a young prospect: team owner Joe Lacob.
Lacob, known for his bold decision-making, refused to include forward Jonathan Kuminga in the proposed trade, a decision that underscores his long-standing faith in the 22-year-old’s potential. Sources indicate that Lacob has been Kuminga’s biggest advocate since the Warriors selected him seventh overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. Despite some members of the coaching staff favoring Franz Wagner at the time, Lacob’s conviction in the Congolese talent won out, shaping the franchise’s trajectory.
On the court, Kuminga has shown tantalizing flashes of brilliance, blending athleticism with scoring prowess. However, his tenure with the Warriors has been anything but smooth. Head coach Steve Kerr has struggled to integrate Kuminga consistently, leading to fluctuating minutes and roles. By January 2024, tensions reportedly boiled over, with Kuminga losing faith in Kerr’s vision for him. Despite these challenges, Lacob’s support never wavered. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne noted that Lacob was the primary reason Kuminga remained untouchable in trade discussions, even when other teams came calling.
The decision to hold onto Kuminga over Caruso raises eyebrows, especially given Caruso’s proven impact. A two-time All-Defensive Team honoree (First Team in 2023, Second Team in 2024), Caruso’s tenacious defense and versatility would have paired perfectly with Draymond Green, potentially transforming the Warriors into a defensive juggernaut. While it’s speculative to say Caruso would have delivered a championship, his presence likely would have elevated Golden State’s postseason ceiling far beyond their 2025 second-round exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Kuminga’s inconsistent role under Kerr persisted into the 2025 playoffs. He saw limited action in the first-round series against the Houston Rockets, but an injury to Stephen Curry in Game 1 of the Conference Semifinals against Minnesota thrust him into the spotlight. Kuminga seized the moment, averaging an impressive 26.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game over his final three outings. Lacob was reportedly elated by these performances, which seemed to validate his faith in the young forward.
However, the optimism has since been tempered by ongoing contract disputes. Kuminga rejected a two-year, $45 million offer from the Warriors earlier this offseason. The team recently upped the ante with a three-year, $75.2 million deal, but the inclusion of a team option for the third year has drawn pushback from Kuminga’s camp. As negotiations stall, the Warriors face a critical juncture: continue betting on Kuminga’s upside or reconsider their approach with a player who has yet to fully win over his coach.
The Warriors’ decision to prioritize Kuminga over Caruso invites reflection on what might have been. Caruso’s defensive prowess, hustle, and playoff pedigree could have addressed key weaknesses in Golden State’s roster, particularly in high-stakes postseason matchups. Instead, the Warriors doubled down on Kuminga, a high-ceiling talent whose inconsistency and uncertain fit under Kerr remain points of contention.
As the Kuminga saga unfolds, one thing is clear: Joe Lacob’s belief in the young forward has shaped the Warriors’ present and future. Whether that faith will lead to a championship or linger as a missed opportunity remains to be seen. For now, fans can only wonder how close the Warriors came to pairing Caruso with their core—and what other trades Lacob’s loyalty to Kuminga may have derailed.