The Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors aren’t any closer to agreeing on a trade that would send Jonathan Kuminga to the 916, but could Jimmy Butler’s injury change things?
With Butler–who suffered a season-ending knee injury this week–on the shelf for the rest of the 2025-26 campaign, all eyes have shifted to Kuminga, who played in his first game action in over a month on Tuesday night.
Sacramento has been linked to the 23-year-old forward since the offseason, where they attempted to strike a sign-and-trade deal with the Warriors that would have landed them Jonathan Kuminga and sent guard Malik Monk (along with a protected first-round pick) to Golden State.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 15: Jonathan Kuminga #1 of the Golden State Warriors sits on the the bench during their game against the New York Knicks during the second quarter at Chase Center on January 15, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
More on Jonathan Kuminga & the Sacramento Kings
The Kings are no longer looking to part with a first-round pick for Jonathan Kuminga, whose deteriorating relationship with Warriors head coach Steve Kerr had caused him to fall completely out of Golden State’s rotation both at the end of last season and thus far in 2025-26.
With Jonathan Kuminga’s value at an all-time low, it seemed as if the Warriors would be heading into the February 5th NBA trade deadline looking to swap the forward’s $22.5 million salary for the best option available.
Now, with Butler out for the year, things may have changed.
Jonathan Kuminga played in Tuesday’s game against Toronto, scoring 20 points (7-for-10 FG) over 21 minutes. Although it was just one game, Kuminga’s emergence could signal more opportunities to come as Golden State weathers the loss of Butler.
Of course, one strong performance isn’t enough to mend the relationship between Kuminga and Kerr, one that many around the Warriors view as “beyond repair.” Could this open the door for the Kings to take another swing at acquiring the former seventh-overall pick?
During the latest edition of The Matt George Podcast, George broached an idea that was also floated by ESPN’s Shams Charania:
Sacramento could call Golden State and offer veteran wing DeMar DeRozan, a player who is likely to be on the move by the time the deadline passes.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 06: Demar Derozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings complains about a call during their game against the Dallas Mavericks at Golden 1 Center on January 06, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
“If I’m Scott Perry, as soon as I see Jimmy Butler go down, I’m immediately picking up the phone and calling [Warriors GM] Mike Dunleavy Jr.,” George said. “I’m going, ‘Let’s reignite this conversation here. Let’s work something out. Hey, you want [Brooklyn Nets forward ]Michael Porter Jr.? Okay, let’s circle the Nets in. Let’s try to make this a three-team deal.’
“Or, hey, what do you think about the assets that we have here? Do you want DeMar DeRozan? How do we work that out?” George said. “And remember, DeRozan is on a partially guaranteed contract next season. He’s only on the hook for $10 million of his $24 million next year.
“So if it doesn’t work out, the Warriors can just pay that $10 million price tag and move on from DeMar. So it’s not a huge commitment on their part,” George continued. “Do they want to go that route? I think Scott Perry should have that conversation.”
DeRozan, 36, is averaging 19.1 points and 4.0 assists per game on 50 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent from beyond the arc.
The veteran scorer is making $24,5 million this season and could make $25.7 million in 2026-27, although $10 million is fully guaranteed.
Could that be of any interest to Golden State? The Warriors could acquire a proven scorer to aid a postseason run, and Sacramento gets a young forward to add to a rebuilding roster?
Check out the full episode of The Matt George Podcast and share your thoughts in the comments.
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Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Wednesday, January 21st – vs. Toronto Raptors – 7:00 PM PT
Friday, January 23rd – @ Cleveland Cavaliers – 4:30 PM PT
Sunday, January 25th – @ Detroit Pistons – 12:00 PM PT
Tuesday, January 27th – @ New York Knicks – 4:30 PM PT
Thursday, January 29th – @ Philadelphia 76ers – 4:00 PM PT
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