The Golden State Warriors are inching closer to a crossroads with Jonathan Kuminga.
As the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline approaches, league chatter surrounding the 23-year-old forward continues to build. Kuminga’s role has fluctuated, his minutes have disappeared at times, and the broader sense around the league is that both sides may be nearing an inevitable reset.
While several teams have cycled in and out of the conversation over the past year, one familiar name keeps resurfacing.
The Sacramento Kings have not gone away.
Kings’ Interest in Kuminga Has Not Faded
Appearing on Sactown Sports 1140, The Athletic’s Sam Amick noted that Sacramento remains engaged when it comes to Kuminga’s availability. The Kings were among the teams that explored him during restricted free agency last summer, alongside the Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls.
That interest has carried into the season.
What has changed, however, is the league-wide perception of Kuminga’s value.
According to Amick, rival teams believe the price has come down. That shift opens the door for conversations that may not have felt realistic just months ago, particularly as Golden State continues to juggle rotation decisions and long-term planning.
The Warriors, notably, were not interested in Malik Monk during past discussions, which limited Sacramento’s flexibility at the time. That dynamic has not completely disappeared. But the tone around Kuminga’s situation has softened.
Rotation Decisions Fuel Trade Speculation
Recent developments have only added to the noise.
Kuminga was a healthy scratch in Golden State’s win over the Brooklyn Nets and has not appeared in a game since Dec. 18. While the Warriors have framed the decision as situational, the optics are difficult to ignore as the deadline draws closer.
In 18 appearances this season, Kuminga has averaged 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. The production has been serviceable. The fit has been inconsistent.
Golden State re-signed Kuminga to a two-year deal last offseason, a move that delayed any trade possibility until Jan. 15. That date is now approaching, and with it, a growing sense that the stalemate may finally resolve itself.
Why the Timing Feels Different for the Warriors
This is no longer just about talent.
It is about role clarity, roster balance, and timeline alignment. The Warriors remain committed to competing now, while Kuminga is entering a phase of his career where developmental runway matters just as much as opportunity.
From the outside, the messaging has been subtle but consistent. Kuminga is not central to Golden State’s nightly plans. And around the league, teams are adjusting their expectations accordingly.
Sacramento’s continued presence in the conversation reflects that shift. The Kings are not alone. But they are steady.
What Comes Next for Kuminga and the Warriors
GettyJonathan Kuminga expects to be traded from the Golden State Warriors before the deadline.
Once Kuminga becomes trade-eligible, league executives expect discussions to accelerate.
That does not guarantee a deal. But it does suggest momentum.
For Golden State, the priority is flexibility. For Kuminga, it may be clarity. As the deadline approaches, both sides appear increasingly aware that the current arrangement may not last much longer.
Sometimes the writing is not dramatic.
It is just persistent.
And for Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors, it is becoming harder to ignore.
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