Jonathan Kuminga’s turbulent season with the Golden State Warriors appears to have taken another turn — and this time, it may work in his favor.
After being a healthy scratch for three consecutive games, the former No. 7 overall pick is poised to return to the active rotation, Warriors coach Steve Kerr indicated following Tuesday’s practice. The decision comes as Golden State continues to juggle lineup instability, trade speculation and an urgent need for athleticism on the wing.
“You definitely want to see how guys respond in practice,” Kerr told reporters. “And I can tell you, JK has been great this last week as he’s been out of the rotation. He’s working really hard, and I’m going to reward that.”
Warriors Signal Kuminga’s Return After Healthy Scratch
Kuminga is expected to return Thursday night in Phoenix against the Suns — a notable opponent given the team’s aggressive pursuit of him during the offseason. The timing is significant, with Jan. 15 approaching, the date when Kuminga’s trade restriction will be lifted and Golden State’s options will widen.
His absence from the rotation raised eyebrows around the league, especially amid ongoing speculation about the Warriors’ long-term direction. Kerr’s comments suggest the move was less punitive and more evaluative, with Kuminga responding in the way the coaching staff hoped.
Suns’ Past Interest Adds Intrigue to Kuminga’s Comeback
GettyJonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors defends against Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns.
Phoenix looms large in Kuminga’s recent history.
During his contract standoff with the Warriors last summer, the Suns emerged as one of the most serious suitors in sign-and-trade discussions. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater, Phoenix made the most lucrative push for Kuminga’s services.
“The most significant negotiations have been with the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns,” Charania and Slater reported in July, “getting proposals up to four years approaching $90 million total, including a player option for the final season.”
Phoenix’s offer represented nearly $70 million more in guaranteed money than the two-year, $48.5 million deal Kuminga ultimately accepted from Golden State.
Beyond finances, Kuminga believed those external offers symbolized something more meaningful: a fresh start, a guaranteed role, and a greater level of trust.
Why Warriors Held Firm on Kuminga Trade Talks
Despite Phoenix’s interest, the Warriors never found the Suns’ package compelling enough to part with the 23-year-old forward. Slater previously reported that Golden State sought a promising young player plus a first-round pick — a nonstarter for Phoenix, which does not control its own first-round selections until 2031.
The Kings faced similar obstacles, leaving the Warriors confident in retaining Kuminga rather than selling low on a player they still view as a long-term asset.
Warriors Need Kuminga’s Athleticism Amid Defensive Struggles
While Kuminga’s return could be interpreted as a showcase ahead of the trade deadline, the Warriors’ immediate needs are just as pressing.
Golden State has dropped two straight games since Stephen Curry returned from a quad injury, including Sunday’s 136-131 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Curry poured in 48 points in that defeat, following a 39-point outing against the Minnesota Timberwolves, yet the Warriors still came up short both times.
In Portland, Curry also surpassed Michael Jordan for the most 40-point games by a player over the age of 30 — a milestone overshadowed by Golden State’s defensive lapses.
Kuminga’s speed, physicality and ability to pressure the rim offer a different dynamic, particularly for a team that has struggled to contain athletic wings.
Kerr Sticks With New Starting Lineup, Bench Role for Kuminga
Despite Kuminga’s return, Kerr made it clear that continuity remains a priority.
The Warriors will continue starting Curry, Moses Moody, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and rookie center Quinten Post — a lineup Kerr hopes to stabilize amid constant roster shuffling.
“I would love to get some continuity,” Kerr said. “It’s been tough to string together games with everyone healthy and the same starting lineup.”
Assuming full health, Kuminga will rejoin the rotation off the bench, tasked with injecting energy while the Warriors attempt to balance development, competitiveness and looming trade decisions.
For Kuminga, the return represents more than just minutes. With the trade window opening and external interest never far away, each opportunity now carries heightened stakes — for both player and franchise navigating a pivotal stretch of the season.
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