Jonathan Kuminga Steps Up in Warriors Loss - and Just Might Be Playing His Way Back Into the Team’s Plans
It’s amazing what 20 points and a whole lot of athleticism can do to shift a narrative.
Jonathan Kuminga, fresh off a month-long stint in Steve Kerr’s doghouse and just five days removed from a trade request, was back on the court Tuesday night - and he made it count. With Jimmy Butler sidelined for the season after tearing his ACL, Kuminga got his shot and delivered in a 145-127 loss to the Toronto Raptors that felt more like an audition than a defeat.
Let’s be clear: the Warriors didn’t lose because of Kuminga. In fact, his performance might be one of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable night.
After being benched for 16 straight games, the 23-year-old forward looked fresh, explosive, and confident. He reminded everyone - including the front office - why he was once considered one of Golden State’s most promising young talents.
A Window Opens After Butler’s Injury
Kuminga’s return to the floor wasn’t just about basketball - it was about opportunity. With Butler’s season-ending injury, the Warriors suddenly find themselves thin at the forward spot. And for a team overloaded with shooting guards and light on size and athleticism, Kuminga’s skill set fits a very real need.
This isn’t just about filling a roster hole. It’s about what Kuminga brings that no one else on this team really can: rim pressure, vertical spacing, and raw physicality.
He’s one of the few Warriors who can get downhill, finish above the rim, and change the tempo of a game with one explosive move. That kind of presence matters - especially for a team that’s struggled to generate easy buckets in the halfcourt.
The Fit Question - and Why It Might Not Matter Anymore
The biggest knock on Kuminga has always been fit. Kerr has long been skeptical of how he meshes with veterans like Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler, given the trio’s collective lack of outside shooting.
It’s a fair concern in today’s spacing-obsessed NBA. But with Butler out of the equation, the calculus changes.
Now, there’s a clear lane for Kuminga to slide into more minutes at the four, where his athleticism can shine and his shooting limitations can be better hidden. And with the Warriors desperate for someone who can attack the rim and soak up frontcourt minutes, Kuminga’s value to this roster may be rising by the day.
Trade Deadline Complications
Here’s the twist: Kuminga still wants out - or at least, he did last week. And the Warriors were reportedly open to moving him… if the right offer came along. But as GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. put it bluntly: “When you make a demand, there needs to be demand.”
That’s the catch. Kuminga’s trade value was tough to gauge when he wasn’t playing.
Sitting for 16 games doesn’t exactly scream “must-have prospect.” But now?
Now there’s tape. Now there’s a 20-point performance.
Now there’s a reminder of what he can do when he’s unleashed.
He’s not the only Warrior potentially on the move. Buddy Hield, another name floating in trade rumors, dropped 25 points and went a perfect 6-for-6 from deep on Tuesday. If nothing else, the Warriors are doing a better job of showcasing their assets as the trade deadline approaches.
From Trade Bait to Key Piece?
Here’s the irony: the Warriors might’ve finally started showcasing Kuminga just as they realize they need him.
With Butler gone and the team still clinging to playoff hopes, Golden State can’t afford to trade away one of its few sources of athleticism and upside unless the return is a clear upgrade. And that’s far from guaranteed.
So don’t be surprised if Kuminga goes from trade chatter to starting lineup - possibly as soon as Thursday’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. After a turbulent month, he may be more important to the Warriors’ future than ever.
The next two weeks will tell us a lot. But for now, Kuminga is back in the mix - and he’s making it hard for Golden State to look away.