Jonathan Kuminga, Warriors
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Jonathan Kuminga reacts during a Warriors game as the team draws a firm line in ongoing trade talks around his future.
The Golden State Warriors are getting closer to having Jonathan Kuminga back on the court. Head coach Steve Kerr provided an encouraging update Saturday on the forward’s recovery from a bone bruise in his left knee.
Kuminga is feeling better and got a workout in before practice Saturday, Kerr told reporters. The 23-year-old is getting closer to being able to play, though his status remains uncertain for Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The timing of his return matters beyond just on-court production. The February 5 trade deadline is five days away, and Kuminga remains at the center of Golden State’s potential moves. His health status could determine whether the Warriors include him in a blockbuster deal or hold onto him through the deadline.
Kenzo Fukuda
Steve Kerr said Jonathan Kuminga, who’s been sidelined with a bone bruise in his knee, is feeling better. Got a workout in today before practice and “getting closer to being able to play.”
Status still up in the air for Tuesday vs. Sixers.
The Trade Deadline Complication
GettyJonathan Kuminga #1 of the Golden State Warriors.
Kuminga sustained the knee injury on January 22 against the Dallas Mavericks. He’s missed four straight games since then. The bone bruise diagnosis suggested a relatively minor issue, but the recovery has taken longer than initially expected.
His absence comes at an awkward time given the trade speculation surrounding him. Kuminga demanded a trade from the Warriors earlier this month after losing his rotation spot in December. Kerr brought him back after Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending ACL tear, and Kuminga played well in his return before the injury derailed his momentum.
ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reported Wednesday that Kuminga’s future with Golden State is one of the big dominoes teams around the NBA are waiting to see fall. It’s no secret that Kuminga wants a new home and the Warriors want to trade him, Siegel wrote.
General manager Mike Dunleavy has insisted he won’t move Kuminga unless the value is right. But with Giannis Antetokounmpo potentially available from the Milwaukee Bucks, that calculation could change quickly.
Why Kuminga Matters in a Giannis Trade
GettyThe Golden State Warriors are listed as one of the top suitors for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Any serious Warriors pursuit of Antetokounmpo would almost certainly require including Kuminga. He’s 23 years old, still on a team-friendly contract, and represents the kind of young, controllable talent Milwaukee is seeking in return for their franchise star.
Kuminga’s value is complicated by his current injury status and his recent benching. Teams interested in acquiring him want to see him healthy and productive. His strong play after returning to the rotation before the injury helped restore some of that value, but the bone bruise has prevented him from building on that momentum.
If Kuminga remains sidelined through the deadline, Golden State faces a tougher decision. Do they include an injured player in a blockbuster trade package? Does Milwaukee accept that risk? Or do the Warriors wait until summer when Kuminga is healthy and the trade market expands?
Kuminga’s Production This Season for the Warriors
Kuminga has appeared in 20 games for the Warriors this season, averaging 12.1 points on 45.4 percent shooting, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 23.8 minutes per game. Those numbers don’t jump off the page, but they reflect limited opportunity rather than declining ability.
When healthy, Kuminga is a double-digit scoring threat who’s a high-percentage two-point scorer, especially in isolation situations. He has defensive flaws, but his athleticism and scoring ability make him arguably the most coveted member of the Warriors roster before the deadline.
His relationship with Kerr appeared fractured after weeks of DNPs in December. The trade demand suggested both sides were ready to move on. Butler’s injury forced them into an uncomfortable holding pattern where Golden State needs Kuminga’s minutes but Kuminga still wants out.
The Warriors’ Deadline Calculus
Golden State sits at 27-23 and eighth in the Western Conference. They need every available body to secure a playoff position, especially with Butler gone for the season and Stephen Curry managing knee soreness.
Curry left Friday’s loss to the Detroit Pistons with a knee injury, though an MRI came back clean and he’s considered day-to-day. The Warriors can’t afford to lose Kuminga’s production right now unless they’re getting back a player who meaningfully upgrades their championship odds.
That player would be Antetokounmpo. If Milwaukee becomes willing to move him before February 5, Golden State will aggressively pursue a deal. Kuminga would be included in that package alongside Butler or Draymond Green‘s contract and significant draft capital.
If the Bucks decide to wait until summer, the Warriors face a decision about keeping Kuminga through the deadline or finding a smaller trade that addresses their needs. Dunleavy has made clear he won’t move Kuminga for marginal value, which suggests Golden State could simply keep him if a Giannis trade doesn’t materialize.
Final Word
Kerr’s optimism about Kuminga’s recovery is good news for a Warriors team that needs depth. Getting him back before the deadline gives Golden State options—either showcase him in potential trades or lean on him for the rest of the season if they stand pat.
The awkwardness of the situation remains unavoidable. Kuminga wants out. The Warriors need him. His injury has forced both sides into waiting mode just as the trade deadline approaches.
If Kuminga returns healthy and Golden State moves him in a Giannis trade, his brief return to the rotation won’t matter long term. If he returns and the Warriors keep him through February 5, the relationship between player and coach will need serious repair work.
Dunleavy has five days to determine if an impact trade exists. Kuminga’s health and availability could influence whether Golden State feels comfortable moving him or decides he’s too valuable to include in anything less than a blockbuster deal. The bone bruise in his knee might be minor, but its timing couldn’t be more significant given what’s at stake before the deadline.