Getty
Jonathan Kuminga #1 of the Golden State Warriors
It’s certainly been an eventful week for the Golden State Warriors, and it is only Thursday. The Dubs’ week started with star forward Jimmy Butler tearing his ACL, an injury that will keep him out for the season and probably the early part of next year. That came amid the ongoing saga with Jonathan Kuminga, who issued a trade demand to the Warriors on January 15 and is eagerly awaiting a ticket out of town.
With Butler sidelined, though, the Warriors played the Raptors and saw Kuminga–who had not played since December 18–contribute 20 points in 21 minutes. Meanwhile, team general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. met with the media to answer questions about the huge swath of Warriors news.
Asked about Kuminga and his trade demand, Dunleavy shot back, essentially saying no one wants Kuminga that badly. “I think as far as the demand, I’m aware of that,” Dunleavy said. “I think in terms of that, in terms of demands, when you make a demand there needs to be demand on the market. So we’ll see where that unfolds.”
Warriors Tanked Demand on Jonathan Kuminga
Ah, but there are always two sides to every story, and Kuminga’s agent–Aaron Turner–presented his client’s side of the story to counterbalance the Warriors’ narrative. Turner pointed out that the Warriors removed Kuminga from their rotation back in mid-November, only playing him sporadically since. It’s only natural, then, that the Warriors would not find much demand on the market for him.
Wrote Turner on Twitter/X: “Demand is sensitive to price or playing time, So if a seller sees demand is low, lower the price point or let him play and demand will go (arrow up emoji).”
Mike Dunleavy Jr., general manager of the Warriors
GettyMike Dunleavy Jr., general manager of the Warriors
A Lower Jonathan Kuminga Asking Price?
And certainly, Turner has a point. The Warriors are responsible for pushing demand on Kuminga down by not playing him, sending a signal to the league that this is not one of their best 10 players. If that’s the case, then it would behoove the Warriors to take what they can get for Kuminga.
If they’re not going to treat Kuminga like a valued member of the team, they should not treat him like a valued trade asset.
Warriors Sticking With Patient Approach
But the Warriors do intend to trade Kuminga, even with the injury to Butler. The relationship there is fractured, and it’s hard to imagine the team suddenly re-inserting him into the rotation on a consistent basis when the goal for so long has been to get something for him in a trade.
At this point, the Warriors’ best position on Kuminga is patience. Most teams are keeping their powder dry between now and the days before the trade deadline in case a major name–whether a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo or a role-star like Trey Murphy–lands on the market. Those guys are not in play for a trade, yet, but there is hope that will change.
If it becomes clear that other players won’t be available, teams can be expected to turn their attention to Kuminga, and the Warriors hope that is when demand will pick up. Understandably, that’s frustrating to both the player and his agent. But it’s the Dubs’ best play right now.