Charles Barkley has never been one to mince words, and when asked recently about the situation between Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors, he didn’t hold back.
“That relationship is over,” Barkley said bluntly. “It’s really unfortunate that Jimmy Butler got hurt.
He’s a terrific guy and a terrific player. The Kuminga thing is over!
He’s only playing because Jimmy got hurt.”
It’s a strong statement, but one that echoes a growing sentiment around the league - that Kuminga’s time in Golden State may be nearing its end. The 21-year-old forward has been on a rollercoaster ride this season, and Barkley’s comments only underscore the tension that’s been building behind the scenes.
Let’s rewind a bit. Kuminga started the season in the Warriors’ starting lineup, showing flashes of the athleticism and two-way potential that made him a high draft pick.
But as the rotation tightened, Kuminga found himself on the outside looking in. DNPs started to pile up, and it became clear that head coach Steve Kerr wasn’t fully sold on his fit - at least not in the current version of the team.
Then came the injury to Jimmy Butler - a devastating blow for Miami, but one that unexpectedly opened the door for Kuminga to re-enter Golden State’s rotation. He’s seen action in both games since Butler went down, but the results have been mixed.
In his first game back, Kuminga made the most of his opportunity, dropping 20 points in just 21 minutes against the Toronto Raptors. That kind of production in limited minutes is exactly what the Warriors - and any potential trade suitors - want to see.
But the follow-up performance told a different story. Against the Mavericks, he logged just nine minutes, scoring 10 points with a rebound and two assists.
It was efficient, but the short leash spoke volumes.
“They must not think he can play,” Barkley said. “I don’t know [if he can], I haven’t seen enough of him. They know him better than anybody.”
That last point is critical. Golden State’s front office has had a front-row seat to Kuminga’s development for several years now, and their actions suggest they’re not fully convinced.
The team didn’t give him a rookie extension like many of his draft classmates, and his contract negotiations were reportedly contentious. Add in the fact that he has a trade request on the table, and it’s hard to ignore the writing on the wall.
Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy has acknowledged that the market for Kuminga isn’t exactly buzzing at the moment. That could change as the February trade deadline approaches, especially if Kuminga continues to flash his upside in these limited minutes. But for now, he’s in a tricky spot - trying to prove his value to a team that may already be looking past him.
Whether or not a trade materializes, one thing is clear: Kuminga’s time in Golden State is under the microscope. Every minute he plays is an audition - not just for the Warriors, but for the rest of the league. And if Barkley’s assessment is any indication, the clock may be ticking louder than ever.