Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga Dilemma Reaches Critical Point as Trade Market Cools
The Golden State Warriors find themselves in a tough spot as the trade deadline approaches, and the situation surrounding Jonathan Kuminga has gone from complicated to borderline unworkable.
Kuminga, once seen as a key piece of the Warriors’ future, now finds himself on the outside looking in - both in the rotation and in trade talks. Since December 7, he’s logged just nine minutes of game action, and his reported trade request has only made things more difficult for Golden State’s front office. With leverage slipping away by the day, the Warriors are in a bind: move him soon, or risk watching his value continue to sink.
The Trade Market Is Drying Up
At one point, Kuminga’s upside had teams circling. The Sacramento Kings, in particular, emerged as a serious suitor over the summer.
They reportedly offered a package that included Malik Monk and a protected first-round pick. Golden State passed, holding out for a bigger return - ideally multiple unprotected picks and a better fit in terms of player personnel.
That bet hasn’t paid off.
According to league sources, the Kings are no longer willing to part with a first-rounder in any deal for Kuminga. And Golden State still isn’t interested in taking back Monk, even as a salary match. That leaves a third team as a likely necessity to facilitate any kind of meaningful deal - a complicated ask with the clock ticking toward the February 6 deadline.
Hindsight Hits Hard
It’s easy to see why the Warriors held firm over the summer. Kuminga’s talent is undeniable - he’s a 6’8” forward with elite athleticism, defensive upside, and flashes of offensive skill that hint at star potential. But potential doesn’t always translate to production, and Kuminga’s role under Steve Kerr has been inconsistent at best.
The Warriors were hoping that a strong start to the season would boost his trade value. Instead, the opposite has happened. His minutes have dried up, his frustration has reportedly boiled over, and now Golden State is fielding offers that are far less enticing than those they declined just months ago.
What Now?
Even with Sacramento backing off, there are still paths to a deal - though none are straightforward. The Warriors have been linked to other targets, including Michael Porter Jr., but those conversations have reportedly stalled, too. Brooklyn, for instance, is said to have little interest in Kuminga, which complicates any potential three-team deal involving the Nuggets or other trade partners.
The core issue remains: Golden State is trying to extract maximum value from a player whose stock is currently at a low point. That’s a tough sell in a league where timing is everything. Teams know the Warriors are under pressure, and they’re adjusting their offers accordingly.
A Costly Waiting Game
This is the kind of front office gamble that can define a season - or derail one. By holding out for a better deal last offseason, Golden State may have missed its best shot at turning Kuminga into a win-now asset. Now, they’re facing a market that’s cooled significantly, with fewer suitors and less leverage.
There’s still time to make something happen. But if the Warriors want to salvage value - and potentially reshape their roster for a playoff push - they’ll need to act fast, get creative, and maybe accept a return that doesn’t quite match the lofty expectations they set months ago.
The clock is ticking, and the next few weeks could tell us a lot about where this franchise is headed - both in the short term and beyond.