Describing Jonathan Kuminga’s uncertain future as the only issue plaguing the Golden State Warriors so far this season would be a stretch, but it is by no means something that has contributed to their success to start the year.
Kuminga has highlighted NBA trade rumors for the past few months, and with the latest update on the 23-year-old wing, the Warriors appear to have already decided on his future with the franchise.
Writing for Sports Illustrated, league insider Chris Mannix wrote that a Kuminga-Golden State breakup is ‘certain‘ once he can be officially moved by January 15th.
“It’s unclear how Jonathan Kuminga’s run in Golden State will end—Kuminga can’t be traded until Jan. 15—but rival executives I’ve talked to are certain that it will end,” Mannix wrote. “After a fast start to the season, Kuminga’s production has cratered. He has been DNP-CD the last three games and it doesn’t sound like that’s changing anytime soon. Said Warriors coach Steve Kerr, ‘Right now, it’s just where things are.‘”
As mentioned, Kuminga has not been the only problem for this Warriors’ team through the first eight weeks of the season, but he has by no means been a positive over the past month, especially considering Kerr’s decision to keep him out of their last three games.
Golden State Warriors Set On Jonathan Kuminga’s Future
Though he had a strong start to the year, an injury and reported conflicts within the organization have played a part in Kuminga’s subsequent benching and extremely limited playing time over the past few weeks.
His situation hasn’t been the chief factor in the Warriors’ middling record despite Steph Curry’s recent heroics, but, as Mannix wrote, he’s cast a shadow in a year that the team had high expectations for one final championship push.
“Kuminga isn’t responsible for Golden State’s middling 13–14 record,” he wrote. “The offense has been abysmal (21st in efficiency, per NBA.com), Jimmy Butler has looked out of rhythm while the team has glaring needs for a wing defender and a rim protector. Frankly, the Warriors look a lot like the team they were last season, before the trade for Butler breathed new life down the stretch.”
But still, after signing him to a two-year, $48.5 million extension over the summer in what was perhaps the most talked-about offseason dilemma for a player with a career average of 12.5 points per game, the juice hasn’t been worth the squeeze for the Warriors, and that is becoming more and more evident as the days go on.
“Still, a Kuminga trade feels inevitable,” Mannix added. “He’s under a team-friendly deal—two years, $48.5 million, with a team option on the second year—specifically structured to be trade-friendly.”
Kuminga hasn’t entered a game for Golden State in 11 days, and though Kerr has claimed it’s due to his uncertain trade status and fit with his preferred lineups, it’s hard to see the 23-year-old ever playing meaningful, if any, minutes for the Warriors again.
Teams In The Mix For A Jonathan Kuminga Trade
Both the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns have consistently been rumored to be trade suitors for Kuminga. Additionally, the New Orleans Pelicans and Chicago Bulls could make an effort to get the forward from the Warriors.
In the same article, Mannix mentioned that, like the Los Angeles Lakers, the Warriors could get into a bidding war to have the chance at adding either Herb Jones or Trey Murphy, two players who have highlighted recent trade rumors.
“Sacramento and Phoenix showed interest in Kuminga last offseason, while some execs believe New Orleans could be in play,” he wrote. “The rebuilding Pelicans could pair the 23-year-old Kuminga alongside rookie standout Derik Queen. And the Pels have some interesting wings (Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones) that would pique the Warriors’ interest.”
Adding someone like Jones or Murphy would hopefully do wonders for Golden State, considering their struggles on defense, turnovers, and shotmaking. Joey Akeley wrote that, in a trade for either, the Warriors would likely need to give up Kuminga along with another player like Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, and a first-round pick.
“I deemed him the Warriors’ No. 1 target of the trade season,” Akeley wrote on Murphy. “The Pelicans should ask for two first-round picks from any trade suitor. My guess [is] they’ll get exactly that if they choose to trade him.”
Phoenix, Sacramento, and Chicago could offer similar-level players back in a Kuminga deal, but as it stands now, Jones and Murphy remain the most coveted trade assets with a month and a half to go before the deadline.
Regardless of what deal the Warriors choose to make, Kuminga won’t be on the team by the time the February 6th trade deadline arrives.
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