Warriors trade, Jonathan Kuminga trade, Jimmy Butler, DeMar DeRozan
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Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors is guarded by Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Miami Heat during the second half at Chase Center on January 19, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
Six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan may not be the playmaker or defensive player that Jimmy Butler III is, but he’s every bit as good a scorer, if not better. Soon after Butler went down with a season-ending ACL injury, DeRozan was earmarked as a Golden State Warriors trade target, understandably so, given the Sacramento Kings‘ reported interest in a Jonathan Kuminga trade.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday that the Warriors were still weighing their options after Butler’s injury, which includes pursuing DeRozan or even holding onto Kuminga and giving him a more prominent role.
“The focus is squarely on Jonathan Kuminga,” Charania said. “Do you try to find a deal in the marketplace that can help the Warrors compete without Jimmy Butler?”
“…Does a player, say DeMar DeRozan, does that fit the bill of what the Warriors could need without Jimmy Butler? But one way or another, the Warriors are about to find out where they stand with Jonathan Kuminga this season.”
Warriors Trade Target: DeMar DeRozan
In light of Charania’s report, NBA writer Jake Weinbach floated a Warriors trade idea that would see the franchise land DeRozan and 23-year-old guard Devin Carter.
Warriors would receive: DeMar DeRozan, Devin Carter
Kings would receive: Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield
It’s worth noting that second-year guard Carter did not draw much interest from the Warriors during Kuminga’s restricted free agency last year, when the Kings made an all-out pursuit for the Congolese forward. In fact, the Warriors were not interested in either Carter or DeRozan, and instead sought Keon Ellis and/or Keegan Murray.
“My understanding is the Warriors weren’t interested in Carter or DeRozan,” The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported last July before Kuminga agreed to a two-year deal to remain in Golden State once talks between the Kings and Warriors fell apart.
Kuminga Trade Still Expected
Of course, a lot has changed since last July, and the Warriors may not have much leverage in a return for a Jonathan Kuminga trade. While DeRozan is still a solid 19 points-per-game scorer who could fill in for Butler, Carter is a prospect with upside. As such, the Warriors may not get a better haul for Kuminga amid his low trade value.
Kuminga returned to the Warriors rotation on Tuesday after nine DNPs. The fifth-year forward finished with 20 points, five rebounds and two assists off the bench, earning the praise of head coach Steve Kerr for staying ready and delivering when called upon.
“It was great,” Kerr said of Kuminga’s return, via The Athletic’s Nick Friedell.
“He came in and had great energy, attacked the rim, made some shots. I thought JK was really good and it’s a great sign. With Jimmy out, obviously, there’s a hole at that spot on our roster. So JK’s gonna factor in here again and really pleased with the way he stayed ready and stayed prepared and got his opportunity and played really well.”
Some insiders believe Kuminga’s return to the rotation could bode well for his trade value, especially if the Warriors continue to showcase him prominently. Per ESPN’s Marc J. Spears, the Warriors still plan to move him by the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline.