Is Jonathan Kuminga Done in Golden State? The Clock Is Ticking on the Young Forward’s Future
As the Golden State Warriors continue to search for consistency in a rollercoaster season, one name has quietly slipped out of the conversation: Jonathan Kuminga. And with the trade deadline creeping closer - along with his looming trade eligibility - the question has to be asked: Has Kuminga already played his last game in a Warriors uniform?
It’s not out of the realm of possibility.
Kuminga has been a DNP in five of the last six games, including the high-profile Christmas Day win over the Dallas Mavericks. That’s a game where Steve Kerr dipped 11 deep into his rotation, and yet Kuminga never saw the floor. For a 23-year-old former lottery pick with elite athleticism and two-way potential, that’s telling.
His only recent action came last Thursday against the Phoenix Suns, where he logged a quiet stat line: two points, four rebounds, and a 1-of-5 shooting night in a one-point loss. It was a game that begged for someone to step up - and Kuminga couldn’t make his mark.
Now, with Al Horford back in the mix and Draymond Green also available, Golden State’s frontcourt is suddenly crowded. Add in Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis, and the rotation is jammed with players Kerr clearly trusts more right now. Kuminga, despite his upside, is on the outside looking in.
But this isn’t just about fit. This is about timing.
Kuminga becomes trade eligible in a matter of weeks, and for a Warriors team that needs help now, he’s one of the few young assets that could help facilitate a meaningful deal. That makes his current bench role more strategic than punitive.
The last thing the Warriors want is for Kuminga to suffer an injury and torpedo his trade value. So, keeping him on ice might be the prudent move.
Even if he does see the floor again, it’s unlikely to shift how teams view him. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, league executives aren’t putting much weight on what Kuminga does in the next few weeks. His value is already set in the eyes of front offices - and barring a major breakout, that’s not changing.
Kuminga’s contract adds another wrinkle. It’s not exactly difficult to move - it can function as an expiring deal if a team opts not to pick up his option next season.
But that doesn’t mean he’s a hot commodity. He’s not going to headline a blockbuster on his own.
If the Warriors want a real difference-maker in return, they’ll need to attach draft capital or include another piece to sweeten the pot.
It’s a tough spot for both player and franchise. Kuminga came into the season with promise, showing flashes of growth and averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists through 18 games.
But the efficiency hasn’t been there - he’s shooting just 43.1% from the field and 32% from deep - and the consistency has wavered. The Warriors, a veteran-heavy team trying to squeeze another title run out of the Steph Curry era, don’t have the luxury of waiting for him to figure it out.
So where does that leave Kuminga?
Possibly on the move. Possibly in limbo. But unless something changes fast - either through injury, rotation shakeups, or a last-chance surge - it’s looking more and more like we’ve seen the last of him in a Warriors jersey.