Jonathan Kuminga Urges Trade From Warriors

Jonathan Kuminga, a forward for the Golden State Warriors, has officially requested a trade. This announcement comes as he becomes eligible for a deal. Reports from Anthony Slater and Shams Charania of ESPN reveal that Kuminga’s dissatisfaction has been known for months.

Kuminga’s Trade Demand and Background

The former No. 7 overall pick expressed a desire to explore new opportunities, having engaged in discussions about potential trades with teams like Sacramento and Phoenix during the offseason. However, due to contract limitations, neither team could offer compelling proposals to the Warriors.

Kuminga returned to the Warriors under a two-year contract worth $46.8 million, which includes a team option for the 2026-2027 season. Initially starting the season, he now finds himself out of the rotation and has not played since December 18.

Deteriorating Relations with the Warriors

The relationship between Kuminga and the Warriors has degraded significantly. Team owner Joe Lacob, once a strong supporter, has reportedly become less favorable toward the young forward. According to NBA insiders, a trade appears to be the best solution for all parties involved.

Kuminga’s Declining Value

Despite the demand for a trade, Kuminga’s value in the league has reduced, particularly due to his recent lack of playing time. The Sacramento Kings, who previously offered a package including Malik Monk and a 2030 first-round pick, are no longer willing to include the first-round draft pick in future offers.

Future Prospects

As the February 5 trade deadline approaches, Warriors executives indicate that they prefer to keep Kuminga unless a worthwhile trade opportunity arises. However, skepticism exists regarding the Warriors’ intentions, with many believing a trade is imminent.

• The Mavericks are showing interest in Kuminga, potentially including him in a larger deal involving Anthony Davis.
• The Lakers have expressed some interest but have not initiated substantial trade discussions.
• The Warriors have been linked to several other players, including Michael Porter Jr. and Trey Murphy III, yet no serious negotiations have occurred.

Trade Preferences

According to league sources, the Warriors are primarily focused on expiring contracts in any potential trade involving Kuminga. They are not inclined to take on long-term deals unless they see undeniable value.

For the right player, the Warriors are even willing to part with multiple first-round picks, especially their 2026 selection. However, they prefer to retain their 2028 and later picks.

Challenges Ahead

Kuminga’s hopes for increased playing time were dashed recently due to lower back soreness, causing frustrations within the organization. This incident has led some team members to suspect that his injury may not have been genuine.

Coach Steve Kerr was reportedly in favor of selecting Franz Wagner over Kuminga in the 2021 draft, indicating a long-standing dialogue on the young forward’s potential within the team.