Warriors’ Trade Stance on Kuminga Shifts After Butler Injury, But Questions Remain
The Golden State Warriors are navigating a tricky stretch of the season, and the latest twist in their ongoing roster saga involves Jonathan Kuminga. Just a few weeks ago, the third-year forward looked like a prime trade candidate.
Now? Not so much.
According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, the Warriors are now “less likely” to deal Kuminga before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. The change in tone comes in the wake of Jimmy Butler’s season-ending ACL injury - a development that’s had ripple effects beyond Miami.
Let’s rewind for a second. Before Butler went down, Kuminga’s situation in Golden State had taken a sharp downturn.
He hadn’t logged a single minute in 16 straight games, essentially buried on the bench while the team went 12-4 without him. Despite his upside and a team-friendly $22.5 million contract, he was seen as expendable - especially given the public nature of his frustrations and the Warriors’ desire to add a piece for a playoff push.
But Butler’s injury changed the landscape. Suddenly, the Warriors needed scoring and wing depth.
And just like that, Kuminga was back in the rotation. His return was electric - he dropped 30 points in 30 minutes off the bench, reminding everyone what he’s capable of when given the opportunity.
He followed that up with 10 first-half points against Dallas before a bone bruise in his left knee forced him out. He’s since missed two games, and there’s still no timeline for his return.
Internally, there’s now talk that Kuminga could stick around past the trade deadline and get another shot at regular minutes. Whether that’s genuine belief in his potential or strategic posturing to drive up his trade value - that’s still unclear.
But around the league, the market for Kuminga seems to have stabilized. If the Warriors don’t get an offer they like, it’s very possible this drags into the offseason.
Warriors Fall Flat in Minnesota
On the court, things didn’t go much better for Golden State on Monday night. With a shorthanded roster, the Warriors got run out of the gym in a 108-83 loss to the Timberwolves. This wasn’t just a loss - it was a flat-out thud.
The starting lineup featured mostly reserves - Pat Spencer, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Gui Santos - and while all five managed to hit double figures, only Jackson-Davis shot above 40% from the field. Podziemski, for all his flashes this season, struggled with decision-making, slipping into iso-ball mode too often and disrupting the flow of the offense.
This game was an opportunity for fringe rotation guys to make a case for more minutes. Instead, it felt more like a reminder of how far this group is from being ready to carry the load. The Warriors looked disjointed, outmatched, and offensively stagnant - a combination that rarely ends well against a team as physical and defensively sound as Minnesota.
Gary Payton II’s Night to Forget
Gary Payton II’s stat line tells the story. In just under 12 minutes, he picked up six fouls and two turnovers, scoring four points and grabbing one rebound. He fouled out before he could make much of an impact - not the kind of performance the Warriors needed from one of their few veteran presences on the floor.
Around the League: Bucks Eye Draft Positioning, Rising Stars Announced
Elsewhere in the NBA, the Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly shifting focus toward the draft, regardless of what happens with Giannis Antetokounmpo at the deadline. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Milwaukee is now considering tanking - a stunning pivot for a team that’s been in win-now mode for years. Their draft pick situation is complicated, as they’ll end up with the worse of their own pick and the Pelicans’ in June.
And in lighter news, the NBA has officially unveiled the rosters for the 2026 Rising Stars Game. While the Warriors didn’t have much to celebrate this week, the announcement at least offers a glimpse of the league’s future - one that could still include Kuminga, if Golden State decides to stay the course.
What’s Next for Golden State?
With the trade deadline just days away, the Warriors are at a crossroads. Kuminga’s future remains uncertain, the rotation is in flux, and the team is struggling to find consistency on the floor. Whether Golden State makes a move or stands pat, one thing is clear: the next week could shape the rest of their season - and maybe the next era of Warriors basketball.