Johnathan Kuminga’s Role Shrinks as Trade Rumors Swirl Around Warriors Forward
The Golden State Warriors are at a crossroads, and so is Johnathan Kuminga.
Once considered a key piece of the Warriors’ youth movement, Kuminga now finds himself in a holding pattern - his minutes down, his role unclear, and his name circulating through trade rumors across the league. With the NBA’s trade window opening wider after January 15, league executives are keeping a close eye on the 21-year-old forward.
Kuminga’s numbers this season - 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game - don’t jump off the page, but they also don’t tell the full story. He started the year strong, dropping 25 points in a win over Memphis back on October 27 and averaging 17.5 points over the Warriors’ first six games. But since then, his minutes have steadily declined, and with them, his impact.
He hasn’t logged more than 30 minutes in a game since November 5. And just recently, he was a healthy scratch for three straight games - a tough pill to swallow for a player once seen as a building block for Golden State’s future. He did return to the floor Thursday night, logging 10 minutes against the Suns, but that brief appearance did little to clarify his standing in Steve Kerr’s rotation.
The relationship between Kuminga and Kerr has reportedly remained lukewarm, and that dynamic is feeding the trade buzz. According to league insiders, Kuminga is viewed as one of the top trade candidates league-wide once he becomes eligible to be moved in mid-January.
The Phoenix Suns were once seen as a possible landing spot. Over the summer, they explored sign-and-trade scenarios involving Kuminga, but that interest has cooled. As it stands now, Phoenix appears to be moving in a different direction.
The New Orleans Pelicans were also previously linked to Kuminga, though it’s unclear if they’re still in the mix. Meanwhile, any speculation about the Brooklyn Nets being in the hunt can be put to bed - league sources say there was never much real interest there.
So where does that leave Kuminga?
He’s still a 6-foot-7 forward with athleticism, defensive upside, and flashes of scoring punch. And on a team looking to get younger or inject energy into its frontcourt, he could be a worthwhile investment. But for now, he remains in Golden State, where his role is shrinking and his future is murky.
Whether the Warriors choose to move him or not, one thing is clear: Kuminga’s situation is one of the more intriguing storylines to monitor as the trade season heats up.