The Golden State Warriors still have time on the calendar before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, but the clock may as well be at zero. Between injuries, underwhelming trade options, and a roster that’s struggling to find its footing, the Warriors are staring down a harsh reality: there may be no deal out there that meaningfully shifts their trajectory this season.
Let’s start with Jonathan Kuminga. Once viewed as a potential trade chip with real upside, Kuminga now finds himself sidelined and stuck in a holding pattern.
Just a few years ago, his blend of size, athleticism, and raw scoring ability had teams intrigued. At 6'7" and 225 pounds, he’s got the physical profile of a modern NBA wing and has flashed enough to keep fans-and front offices-curious.
But curiosity only gets you so far in this league.
The problem? His value has plateaued, maybe even dipped.
The Warriors have never fully committed to giving Kuminga major minutes, and that hesitation has made it harder to sell him as a player who could thrive elsewhere. If Golden State, a team known for developing talent within a defined system, couldn’t figure out how to consistently use him, it raises questions for potential trade partners.
Why would another team expect different results?
This season, before the injury, Kuminga’s role had shrunk. He was logging fewer minutes than he had since his second year, and when he did get on the court, the production didn’t exactly demand more.
He can score-no doubt-but can he do it within the flow of an offense that isn’t built around him? That’s been the lingering question, and the Warriors’ cautious usage suggests they’re not convinced.
Now, with Kuminga hurt and Jimmy Butler-another potential trade target-also sidelined with a torn ACL, the Warriors’ options are even more limited. The market isn’t exactly overflowing with players who can come in and change the calculus for Golden State. And according to NBA insider Marc Stein, there’s simply no trade involving Kuminga right now that gives the Warriors even a puncher’s chance in the West.
That’s a tough pill to swallow for a franchise that’s spent the better part of the last decade contending for titles. But it’s also the reality of where they are: aging core, limited assets, and a trade market that isn’t offering any lifelines.
So what’s left? Holding onto Kuminga and hoping his value rebounds in the offseason might be the most logical path forward.
It’s not ideal, but trading him now-when his stock is at its lowest-would be a move made out of desperation, not strategy. And that’s not how the Warriors have operated, even in rocky times.
This isn’t about giving up on Kuminga or the season entirely. It’s about recognizing that the best move might be no move at all.
Sometimes, the trade deadline doesn’t offer solutions-it just underscores the problems. For now, Golden State may have to ride this out, find a way to make it work internally, and revisit their options when the landscape changes.
Because right now? The cards on the table don’t favor the Warriors. And unless something unexpected shakes loose, they may have to fold their hand and wait for the next deal.