The Golden State Warriors finally snapped their losing streak Saturday night with a gritty win over the Phoenix Suns at Chase Center - a much-needed breath of fresh air after a rough stretch. It also served as a bit of payback for their loss to Phoenix just two nights prior. But while the victory was a step in the right direction, it didn’t come without its share of drama - and one name continues to hover over the situation like a cloud: Jonathan Kuminga.
Kuminga didn’t see the floor in this one. In fact, he didn’t even crack the rotation.
That’s been the trend lately, as head coach Steve Kerr has leaned away from the former lottery pick in recent weeks. For a player once seen as a cornerstone of the Warriors’ next era, the continued DNPs are raising eyebrows - and questions about whether his time in Golden State is nearing an end.
Naturally, trade rumors are swirling. And while it’s easy to dismiss that as typical midseason chatter, Kerr himself acknowledged the emotional toll this kind of uncertainty can take - especially on a young player trying to find his place in the league.
“Everybody wants honesty. They don't want to be pandered to.
They want to know what's what,” Kerr said during an appearance on The Tom Tolbert Show, via Hoopshype. “But you have to deliver those messages with some empathy.
It's a tough spot to be in… It's hard, and I just think it's important to acknowledge that to the players and try to understand that part of the business.”
That’s a window into the human side of roster decisions - something fans don’t always see. Coaches aren’t just drawing up plays; they’re managing personalities, expectations, and careers. And for a player like Kuminga, who has all the physical tools but hasn’t quite found consistent footing, that emotional tightrope can be hard to walk.
As for the trade chatter itself, Kerr didn’t deny that the front office is keeping tabs on the market.
“I know that Mike (Dunleavy) and his group are always looking at deals and what’s out there, and nothing usually heats up until February,” Kerr said.
Translation: the Warriors aren’t rushing into anything - but the door’s not closed, either.
It’s no secret that Golden State has underperformed this season. After a promising start, the wheels have come off.
The offense has sputtered, the defense hasn’t held up, and the chemistry that once defined this dynasty-era team just hasn’t been there. The Kuminga situation is just one of several storylines pointing to a team in flux.
And this isn’t the first time the Warriors and Kuminga have been at a crossroads. Over the summer, it looked like a breakup was imminent.
Tensions were high, and a trade felt inevitable. But the two sides found common ground, and Kuminga returned with hopes of a fresh start.
Fast forward to now, and it feels like we’re right back where we started - only this time, the stakes might be even higher.
Whether the Warriors decide to move on from Kuminga or give him another shot remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: the clock is ticking. With the trade deadline looming in February and the team struggling to stay afloat in the Western Conference, tough decisions are on the horizon.
Golden State is back on the floor Monday against the Orlando Magic - another chance to stabilize things. But as the season wears on, the Warriors aren’t just fighting for wins. They’re fighting to figure out who they are - and who they want to be moving forward.