Jonathan Kuminga’s Future in Golden State Gets Murkier After Ankle Scare vs. Mavs
The Jonathan Kuminga trade buzz just got a little louder-and a little more complicated.
Before the Warriors tipped off against the Mavericks, another wave of reports hit the surface: Kuminga, who’s already been the subject of trade speculation, is now said to be informally seeking a move out of Golden State. The Sacramento Kings have expressed interest.
So have the Lakers, with GM Rob Pelinka reportedly keeping a close eye on the situation. With the trade deadline fast approaching in February, Kuminga’s name is going to stay in the rumor mill.
But any potential deal might have to wait, at least for now.
Midway through the matchup with Dallas, Kuminga rolled his left ankle on a drive to the basket. He was clearly in discomfort and quickly made his way to the area behind the basket, where he briefly asked a young fan to move so he could sit and evaluate the injury. It was a moment that caught plenty of attention online-not just because of the injury, but because of the optics.
Kuminga played just over nine minutes before exiting the game for good, finishing with 10 points in a night that ended in a Warriors loss. The injury doesn’t appear to be major, but it was enough to pull him from the action and potentially put a temporary pause on any trade movement.
The reaction on social media? Predictably divided.
Some fans defended Kuminga’s decision to take a seat courtside to deal with the pain, while others questioned the optics of asking a child to move mid-game. The online chatter ranged from light-hearted jokes to sharp criticism, with some calling it a bad look for a player who’s already been vocal-albeit informally-about wanting out.
But beyond the noise, the real question remains: What’s next for Kuminga and the Warriors?
Golden State is at a crossroads. They’re trying to extend their championship window as long as Stephen Curry continues to play at an elite level.
That means making win-now decisions, and Kuminga’s future is very much part of that equation. He’s shown flashes of what made him a top pick-athleticism, defensive versatility, and scoring upside-but consistency and fit have always been the question marks.
If the Warriors do decide to move him, they’ll be looking for pieces that can help them compete right away. That could mean targeting a veteran presence or a star-caliber player who can slot in next to Curry and Draymond Green. But they’ll also need to weigh the long-term upside they’d be giving up in Kuminga, who, at 23, still has a high ceiling.
For now, the ankle injury may slow down the trade talks, but it won’t stop them. With interest from teams like the Kings and Lakers, and the Warriors’ front office reportedly monitoring the superstar market, it’s clear that Kuminga’s days in the Bay may be numbered.
Whether or not he finishes the season in a Warriors jersey, one thing is certain: the next few weeks will be pivotal-not just for Kuminga, but for a franchise still trying to squeeze one more title run out of its golden era.