Getty
DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 22: Jonathan Kuminga #1 of the Golden State Warriors is defended by Moussa Cisse #30 and Brandon Williams #10 of the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter at American Airlines Center on January 22, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors made the decision to trade Jonathan Kuminga at the trade deadline. They traded Kuminga to the Hawks in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis. It was a trade that was a few months in the making after he signed an extension over the summer.
Kuminga’s relationship with the Warriors had soured to the point that he wanted to be traded. He had fallen out of the rotation in Golden State, and he wanted a new start. His trade with Atlanta will give him a chance to earn more playing time in a new spot.
A new piece from Anthony Slater of ESPN details just how bad the relationship had gotten at the end. That includes a bizarre incident with Kuminga being blamed for someone close to him taking too much food.
GettyGolden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga sits on the bench. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Warriors Allegedly Blamed Jonathan Kuminga for Too Much Food Being Taken
According to Slater’s piece, Kuminga believed that the Warriors were trying to blame him for someone close to him taking too much food out of the family food area.
“Kuminga was prepared for the conversation. He knew management wanted to ding him for missing a team-requested event and alert him that someone around him was taking too much food from the family room. The gripes between player and organization, as multiple sources said, had become “petty” in the fifth year of a relationship many believed should’ve ended years before,” Slater wrote.
It seems a bit much that Golden State would blame him for that. This is one of the many reasons why Kuminga wanted out of Golden State. He believed that the relationship had become petty and a future between the two was untenable. Kuminga has only played in 20 games this season.
Kuminga believes that he was never given a true opportunity to shine with the Warriors. Golden State clearly didn’t trust him to play in big moments. It was a strange dynamic that clearly needed to come to an end at the trade deadline.
GettyGolden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry plays defense. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
The Warriors Are Still Fighting to Make the Playoffs
Despite losing Jimmy Butler for the season because of a torn ACL, Golden State is still trying to make the playoffs. They currently sit eighth in the Western Conference standings. Stephen Curry is now hurt, and he won’t play again until after the All-Star break.
Right now, the Warriors have just the 15th-best offensive rating in the league. They are hoping that Porzingis can help with that by stretching the floor. Of course, Porzingis has to be healthy for him to give them that lift. So far this season, he has played just 17 games.
Increasing the offensive output is the key to Golden State making the playoffs. Curry has an enormous amount of pressure on his shoulders. The Warriors were hoping Kuminga could have lessened the load for him, but it did not end up going that way.