Jonathan Kuminga’s Role Shrinks as Warriors Rotation Tightens - What It Means for Golden State and the Trade Market
The Golden State Warriors are at a crossroads, and Jonathan Kuminga is right in the middle of it.
After playing in 17 games this season and averaging 12.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, Kuminga has now logged three straight DNPs - not due to injury, but simply because head coach Steve Kerr has kept him out of the rotation. That’s a sharp turn for a player once viewed as a key piece of the Warriors’ future. And it’s raising real questions about where things go from here, both for Kuminga and the franchise.
A Slide Out of the Rotation
There’s no sugarcoating it - Kuminga has lost his spot in the rotation. And it’s not because he’s hurt or dealing with some lingering issue.
He’s healthy, but he’s not playing. That’s a tough pill for any young player to swallow, especially one with Kuminga’s upside and athleticism.
Steve Kerr hasn’t changed his stance on what he expects from Kuminga. According to NBA insider Sam Amick, Kerr has remained firm: if Kuminga doesn’t meet those expectations, he won’t see the floor. That’s exactly what’s happening right now.
Kerr’s comments after the team’s recent 127-120 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves made it clear he’s looking for energy and flow - and he’s finding it elsewhere. When Gui Santos came in for a six-minute stretch, he brought a jolt that caught Kerr’s attention and lit up the crowd.
Kerr even called it “maybe the best stretch of the game” in terms of offensive rhythm and ball movement. That’s the kind of impact Kuminga was expected to provide, but lately, it just hasn’t been there.
Trade Value Takes a Hit
Kuminga’s slide out of the rotation doesn’t just impact the Warriors on the court - it’s also affecting his value on the trade market.
There’s been chatter for months that Golden State could be open to moving Kuminga, even before the season tipped off. But now? With his minutes drying up and his role shrinking, the leverage the Warriors once had might be slipping away.
Amick notes that the Sacramento Kings have shown interest, but he also points out that the Warriors’ position has weakened. Teams around the league can see what’s happening - they know Kuminga’s not playing, and they know Golden State might be motivated to make a move.
That opens the door for lowball offers, and Amick even suggests that a player like Malik Monk wouldn’t be on the table in a potential deal. In his words, finding the right trade for Kuminga could be “tricky.”
A Tense Time in the Bay
This is a delicate moment for the Warriors. They’re trying to stay competitive in a loaded Western Conference, and they’re also navigating the challenge of developing young talent while chasing wins. That’s never easy, especially when the team’s veterans - including Steph Curry - are looking for consistency and stability in the rotation.
Kerr acknowledged that things can change quickly. And they might have to. The Warriors face the Phoenix Suns next, and with the season inching closer to its midway point, decisions about the rotation - and about Kuminga’s future - are going to carry more weight.
Right now, the Warriors are leaning on players who bring energy, movement, and flow. If Kuminga wants back in, he’ll need to show he can bring those things too. Otherwise, his next opportunity might not come in Golden State - it might come in another uniform.