Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors, Kuminga Warriors trade rumors, Steve Kerr, Kuminga future
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Amid Jonathan Kuminga trade rumors, he hasn't played in the Warriors' last few games, and a new report signals his future is already decided.
Describing JonathanKuminga’s uncertain future as the only issue plaguing the Golden State Warriors so far this season would be a stretch, but it is by no means something that has contributed to their successto start the year.
Kuminga has highlighted NBA trade rumors for the past few months, and with the latest update on the 23-year-old wing, the Warriors appear to have already decided on his future with the franchise.
Writing for Sports Illustrated, league insider Chris Mannix wrote that a Kuminga-Golden State breakup is ‘certain‘once he canbe officially moved byJanuary 15th.
“It’s unclear how JonathanKuminga’s run in Golden State will end—Kumingacan’t be traded untilJan. 15—but rival executivesI’ve talked to are certain that itwillend,”Mannix wrote. “After a fast start to the season,Kuminga’s production has cratered. He has been DNP-CD the last three games and itdoesn’t sound likethat’s changing anytime soon. Said Warriors coach Steve Kerr, ‘Right now,it’s just where things are.‘”
As mentioned, Kuminga has not been the only problem for thisWarriors’ team through the first eight weeks of the season, but he has by no means been a positive over the past month, especially consideringKerr’s decision to keep him out of their last three games.
Golden State Warriors Set On JonathanKuminga’s Future
Though he had a strong start to the year, an injury and reported conflicts within the organization haveplayed a part in Kuminga’s subsequent benching andextremely limited playing time over the past few weeks.
Marc Grandi
Steve Kerr on another Jonathan Kuminga DNP: “Right now it’s where things are. You saw Gui come in there for 6 minutes and lit up the crowd with his energy. The ball movement, the was maybe the best stretch of the game for our offense just with the flow.”
His situationhasn’t been the chief factor in theWarriors’ middling record despite StephCurry’srecent heroics, but, as Mannix wrote,he’s cast a shadow in a yearthat the team had high expectations for one final championship push.
“Kumingaisn’t responsible for GoldenState’s middling 13–14 record,”he wrote. “The offense has been abysmal (21st in efficiency, per NBA.com), Jimmy Butler has looked out of rhythm while the team has glaring needs for a wing defender and a rim protector. Frankly, the Warriors look a lot like the team they were last season, before the trade for Butler breathed new life down the stretch.”
But still, after signing him to a two-year, $48.5 million extension over the summer in what was perhaps the most talked-about offseason dilemma for a player with a career average of 12.5 points per game, the juicehasn’t been worth the squeeze for the Warriors, and that is becoming more and more evident as the days go on.
“Still, a Kuminga trade feels inevitable,”Mannix added. “He’s under a team-friendly deal—two years, $48.5 million, with a team option on the second year—specifically structured to be trade-friendly.”
Evan Sidery
Players with the best chance to be traded before the 2026 NBA trade deadline, per @KalshiSports:
Jonathan Kuminga: 75% Chris Paul: 64% Giannis Antetokounmpo: 63% Kyle Kuzma: 51% Herb Jones: 47% Anthony Davis: 42%
Kumingahasn’t entered a game for Golden State in 11 days, andthough Kerr has claimedit’s due to his uncertain trade status and fit with his preferred lineups,it’s hard to see the 23-year-oldever playing meaningful, if any, minutes for the Warriors again.
Teams In The Mix For A Jonathan Kuminga Trade
Both the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns have consistentlybeen rumored to be trade suitors for Kuminga. Additionally, the New Orleans Pelicans and Chicago Bulls could make an effort to get the forward from the Warriors.
In the same article, Mannix mentioned that, like the Los Angeles Lakers, the Warriors could get into a bidding war to have the chanceat adding either Herb Jones or Trey Murphy, two players who have highlighted recent trade rumors.
Numbers On The Board
“I’m not trading for anybody with DNPs… I wouldn’t trade for my son if he was getting DNPs.”😂😂😂
These guys are really selling the rumor of a Trey Murphy for Jonathan Kuminga trade.
“Sacramento and Phoenix showed interest in Kuminga last offseason, while some execs believe New Orleans could be in play,”he wrote. “The rebuilding Pelicans could pair the 23-year-old Kuminga alongside rookie standout Derik Queen. And the Pels have some interesting wings (Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones) that would pique theWarriors’ interest.”
Adding someone like Jones or Murphy would hopefully do wonders for Golden State, considering their struggles on defense, turnovers, and shotmaking. Joey Akeley wrote that, in a trade for either, the Warriors would likely need to give up Kuminga along with another player like Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, and a first-round pick.
“I deemed him theWarriors’ No. 1 target of the trade season,”Akeley wrote on Murphy. “The Pelicans should ask for two first-round picks from any trade suitor. My guess [is]they’ll get exactly that if they choose to trade him.”
Phoenix, Sacramento, and Chicago could offer similar-level players back in a Kuminga deal, but as it stands now, Jones and Murphy remain the most coveted trade assets with a month and a half to go before the deadline.
Regardless of what deal the Warriors choose to make, Kumingawon’t be on the team by the time theFebruary 6th trade deadline arrives.