The Golden State Warriors are heading into next week’s trade deadline with urgency-and a sense that standing pat just isn’t an option. With Stephen Curry still playing elite basketball and the Western Conference as competitive as ever, Golden State appears to be exploring bold moves to reshape its roster in real time.
Reports have surfaced suggesting that the Warriors may be preparing for a significant shake-up ahead of the February 5 deadline. One scenario making the rounds involves a potential swap between Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga-a deal that, on its face, seems surprising given the Warriors' long-term investment in Kuminga and their prior history with Wiggins.
But this might not be a standalone move. According to league chatter, the Wiggins-Kuminga deal could be a stepping stone toward something much bigger. The buzz is that Golden State could be positioning itself to flip Wiggins again-this time in a package involving Jimmy Butler-with the goal of landing a true superstar like Anthony Davis or Giannis Antetokounmpo.
That’s right. The Warriors, who have reportedly resisted the idea of trading Butler even after his ACL injury, may be keeping their cards close to the chest while quietly eyeing a blockbuster. The idea would be to use Wiggins as a trade chip to acquire a top-tier talent who can help Curry chase another title while the window is still open.
Now, let’s unpack this a bit.
First, the Wiggins-Kuminga swap. On paper, it’s a head-scratcher.
Kuminga is just 23, and after signing a new deal in the offseason, he likely expected a bigger role in the rotation. He’s shown flashes-athleticism, defensive upside, and growing confidence on the offensive end-but hasn’t quite earned Steve Kerr’s full trust.
Whether that’s a reflection of Kuminga’s development or the team’s win-now mindset is up for debate. But the timing of his recent knee injury, just days before the trade deadline, has only added fuel to the fire.
Some fans are speculating about his frustration with the organization, though there’s no concrete evidence to support that narrative.
As for Wiggins, a return to the Bay would be... complicated. He played a key role in Golden State’s 2022 title run, defending at a high level and providing timely scoring.
But his production has dipped, and the idea of him being brought back only to be flipped again raises questions about how he’d feel being treated as a temporary asset. That’s the business side of the NBA, but it’s still a lot for any player to process.
Then there’s the Butler factor. The Warriors acquired him with hopes of forming a tough, veteran core around Curry, but his indefinite absence due to an ACL injury has changed the calculus.
Butler’s availability-and trade value-are now major variables. Golden State has publicly pushed back on the idea of moving him, but around the league, there’s a growing belief that he could be part of a larger play.
If a healthy Butler, plus Wiggins and picks, could net someone like Davis or Giannis? That’s the kind of all-in move that could redefine the franchise’s trajectory.
Of course, pulling off a deal of that magnitude is far from simple. The financials, the timing, the willingness of other teams to engage-all of it has to align.
But the Warriors are clearly exploring every option. They know they owe it to Curry to put a contending roster around him, especially with the clock ticking on his prime years.
Golden State has always been a team willing to think big. From the Durant signing to the D’Angelo Russell-for-Wiggins trade, they’ve never shied away from bold swings.
This deadline could be another one of those moments. Whether it results in a seismic shift or just a reshuffling of the deck, one thing is clear: the Warriors aren’t standing still.
And neither is the league around them.