Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
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Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after a play against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga returned to the rotation this week after multiple games as a healthy scratch, but his limited impact has coincided with a notable shift in league perception.
According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, one of Kuminga’s most serious offseason suitors—the Phoenix Suns—is no longer showing the same level of interest, a development that further clouds Golden State’s trade outlook ahead of January’s market.
Kuminga returned to the Warriors lineup Thursday night, but the long-awaited opportunity did little to change the growing perception around the former lottery pick’s uncertain future.
After being a healthy scratch in three straight games, Kuminga logged just 10 minutes off the bench in Golden State’s 99–98 loss to the Suns, finishing with two points, four rebounds, and one assist while missing four of his five shot attempts. The muted performance came against the very team that once aggressively pursued him—interest that, according to league sources, has since cooled significantly.
NBA Trade Rumors: Jonathan Kuminga Emerging as Top Trade Candidate
Jonathan Kuminga, Devin Booker, Suns
GettyJonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors defends against Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns.
According to Scotto, Kuminga’s role with the Warriors has once again fluctuated, and his relationship with head coach Steve Kerr has remained “lukewarm.”
“As a result, Kuminga is considered one of the top trade candidates across the league in the eyes of NBA executives once he becomes available to be traded on January 15,” Scotto reported.
The timing is significant. January 15 marks the date when players who signed new contracts over the summer become trade-eligible, reopening the market for a Warriors team still searching for consistency.
Phoenix Suns No Longer Viewed as Serious Suitor
While Kuminga’s name continues to circulate in league circles, one former suitor appears to have backed off.
“The Phoenix Suns, who discussed several potential sign-and-trade scenarios for Kuminga over the summer, are not as interested now as during that time,” Scotto reported, citing league sources.
That marks a notable shift from the offseason, when Phoenix emerged as one of the most aggressive teams pursuing the 23-year-old forward during his restricted free agency.
Offseason Contract Talks: Suns Once Led the Chase
During Kuminga’s contract standoff with Golden State last summer, Phoenix and the Sacramento Kings were identified as the most serious external suitors.
According to last summer’s report from ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater, proposals discussed with Kuminga’s camp approached four years and nearly $90 million, including a player option in the final season.
“The most significant negotiations have been with the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns,” Charania and Slater reported in July.
Those offers represented nearly $70 million more in guaranteed money than the two-year, $48.5 million deal Kuminga ultimately accepted to remain with Golden State—a decision rooted in flexibility but not without risk.
Beyond the financial gap, Slater has reported that Kuminga viewed the external interest as symbolic of something deeper: a defined role, organizational trust, and a fresh start.
Why Warriors Never Pulled the Trigger on a Deal
Despite Phoenix’s push, the Warriors never found the Suns’ proposed trade packages compelling enough.
Slater previously reported that Golden State sought a promising young player plus a future first-round pick—terms that Phoenix was unwilling or unable to meet, particularly given that the Suns do not control their own first-round selections until 2031.
With no middle ground reached, Kuminga stayed put. But months later, his standing with the Warriors appears no more stable than it was during the summer.
Suns Rising, Warriors Slipping in the West
Phoenix’s fading interest in Kuminga coincides with an encouraging start to its season. After defeating Golden State, the Suns improved to 15–12, sitting seventh in a tightly packed Western Conference and just two games out of the top six.
The Warriors, meanwhile, continue to search for traction.
Thursday’s loss marked their third straight defeat since Stephen Curry returned from a quad injury. Even Kuminga’s return to the rotation failed to halt a slide that has intensified questions about Golden State’s ability to contend for a playoff spot.
Steve Kerr on Kuminga’s Return: ‘I’m Going to Reward That’
Kuminga’s reappearance in the lineup was driven by his effort behind the scenes, not by matchup necessity.
“You definitely want to see how guys respond in practice,” Kerr told reporters earlier this week. “And I can tell you, JK has been great this last week as he’s been out of the rotation. He’s working really hard, and I’m going to reward that.”
The reward, however, did not translate into impact on the court—nor did it appear to reverse the broader perception among rival executives.
As the trade market reopens in mid-January, Kuminga remains a name to watch. But Thursday’s return offered little evidence that his value—or his future with the Warriors—is trending upward.