The Golden State Warriors are staring down a tough reality as the February 6 trade deadline approaches: it’s time to move on from Jonathan Kuminga. Once viewed as a cornerstone of the team’s future, Kuminga has seen his role shrink to almost nothing - just nine minutes of action since December 7 - and with his formal trade request now public, the writing’s on the wall. The Warriors have to make a move.
But here’s the catch: trading Kuminga is no longer as simple as it once seemed. His contract - two years, $47 million - is actually quite team-friendly in today’s NBA, but the challenge lies in finding a team willing to take a chance on a still-developing player and send back a piece that can help Golden State win now. The Warriors aren’t just looking to offload a disgruntled player - they need a real return.
That’s where things get complicated.
Golden State’s top priority in any Kuminga deal is to land a third scoring option to slot in behind Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. They need someone who can carry stretches of the offense, take pressure off their aging stars, and ideally stretch the floor.
Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets has emerged as the most logical target on paper - he checks all the boxes. But so far, the Nets haven’t bitten.
They’ve shown no interest in Kuminga, and without that mutual interest, a deal is hard to build.
Enter the Milwaukee Bucks - a team that wasn’t a serious suitor for Kuminga during the offseason but might be in a different headspace now. At 17-24 and sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference, the Bucks are in unfamiliar territory.
And with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s long-term future looming large, the front office is under pressure to make something happen. Fast.
Kuminga isn’t a star - not yet, at least - but he’s got enough upside to be intriguing. For a team like Milwaukee, which is looking for any spark to shake things up, he could be a worthwhile gamble. And for the Warriors, the Bucks might have a player who fits their needs: Bobby Portis.
Now, Portis isn’t the high-octane scorer Golden State ideally wants, but he brings something they desperately need - frontcourt spacing and toughness. He’s averaging 13 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists this season while shooting a blistering 47.6% from three - the best mark in the league - on real volume. That kind of shooting from a big man would open things up for Curry and Butler, and his veteran presence could help stabilize a bench that’s lacked consistency.
Golden State has shown interest in Portis before, so this isn’t coming out of nowhere. If the Nets stay firm on Porter Jr., and if no other suitors emerge with a better offer, this could be the deal that gets done. Milwaukee’s urgency to keep Giannis happy might just align with the Warriors’ need to turn the page on the Kuminga chapter.
It’s not the blockbuster some fans might have hoped for, but in a league where fit and timing often matter more than star power, a Kuminga-for-Portis swap could be the kind of under-the-radar move that pays off for both sides.