The Golden State Warriors are in a tough spot to start the 2025-26 season - not disastrous, but certainly not where they expected to be. At 11-10 with a net rating of just 1.3 (16th in the league), this version of the Dubs feels more like a team searching for answers than one ready to contend. And with the trade deadline inching closer, the front office is staring down a familiar question: is it time to make a move?
The answer might lie in Jonathan Kuminga.
Golden State’s veteran core - Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green - isn’t just playing for wins anymore; they’re playing for legacy. All three are on the back nine of their careers, and the window for another title run is narrowing.
That puts pressure on the front office to surround them with a roster that can compete right now. And while Kuminga has shown flashes of becoming a future star, the Warriors may not have the luxury of waiting for him to fully blossom.
This isn’t a new storyline. The Warriors and Kuminga danced through a complicated restricted free agency situation over the summer, and the writing’s been on the wall since then. His name has consistently been floated in trade talks, and there’s a growing sense that a deal is not just possible - it’s inevitable.
Right now, the supporting cast just isn’t cutting it. Outside of the stars and Moses Moody, production has been inconsistent.
The team feels like it’s stuck in transition - not quite rebuilding, but not quite contending either. Kuminga, with his athleticism and upside, is one of the few pieces that could bring back a win-now player with playoff experience.
And let’s be clear: Kuminga hasn’t been bad. In fact, he’s been solid.
Through 14 games, he’s averaging 13.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, while shooting a respectable 52.8% in effective field goal percentage. He’s a 6-foot-7 forward with explosive athleticism and two-way potential - the kind of player who could thrive in the right situation.
But on a team trying to squeeze one more ring out of a legendary core, “potential” isn’t always enough.
The Warriors need someone who’s been there before. Someone who can step into a playoff rotation tomorrow and make an impact. Kuminga might be that player in a year or two, but Golden State doesn’t have that kind of time.
Teams like the Sacramento Kings and Brooklyn Nets have been linked to Kuminga in the past, though nothing has materialized yet. That could change quickly as the deadline approaches and teams reassess their needs.
For the Warriors, it’s not just about finding a trade partner - it’s about pulling the trigger on a deal that aligns with their timeline and gives Curry and company a real shot at banner No. 5.
There’s no easy answer here. Trading a young, talented forward like Kuminga is never a simple decision. But with the season teetering on the edge of mediocrity and the clock ticking on a legendary trio’s final run, standing pat might not be an option.
Golden State has always been bold when it matters. If they want to make one last push for glory, now’s the time to act.