Jonathan Kuminga Ruled Out Again as Trade Deadline Looms, Warriors Face Questions on and off the Court
The Golden State Warriors will be without Jonathan Kuminga once again for Tuesday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers - and with the NBA trade deadline just 72 hours away, this absence could be more than just another DNP. It might be the final chapter of Kuminga’s time in the Bay.
The 23-year-old forward requested a trade back on January 15, the moment he became eligible, and since then, his future has been one of the most closely-watched storylines around the league. After being out of Steve Kerr’s rotation for 16 straight games earlier this season, Kuminga briefly re-emerged following Jimmy Butler’s season-ending knee injury.
He made the most of the opportunity, putting up 30 points in just 30 minutes across two games against the Raptors and Mavericks. But just as quickly as he returned, Kuminga was sidelined again - this time with a knee injury of his own, suffered in the first half of that Dallas game.
Tuesday will mark his fifth consecutive game missed, and with trade talks swirling, it’s not hard to connect the dots. The Warriors are clearly keeping their cards close to the chest, and Kuminga’s absence feels more like a strategic move than a medical one.
Golden State is reportedly less focused on Kuminga’s trade request itself and more interested in what kind of return he could help bring in. The name at the top of that wishlist?
Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Warriors are still holding out hope that the Bucks might be willing to talk blockbuster before Thursday’s deadline.
If Milwaukee signals that Giannis is staying put - or if the two-time MVP ends up elsewhere, with Miami still lurking as a possible destination - Golden State will need a Plan B. Whether that includes Kuminga or not remains to be seen.
One team that’s been consistently linked to Kuminga is the Sacramento Kings. But over the weekend, Sacramento made a move that may shake up their interest, acquiring De’Andre Hunter from the Cavaliers.
That could complicate any potential Kuminga deal, or at least shift the urgency. If the Warriors don’t land their big fish, and if the Kings are no longer all-in, there’s a real scenario where Kuminga stays put - at least through the end of the season, especially with Butler’s injury reshaping the trade landscape.
Meanwhile, the Warriors’ injury report is stacking up at the worst possible time. Stephen Curry, who left Friday’s loss to the Pistons late in the third quarter with a knee issue, has also been ruled out for Tuesday night.
It’s a big blow for a team already struggling for offensive rhythm. Curry, even at 37, remains the heartbeat of this roster, and without him, the Warriors will need to get creative.
Seth Curry is still sidelined with a sciatic nerve issue, and Moses Moody is listed as probable with knee soreness. That leaves the Warriors thin on the perimeter and looking for answers as they try to stay afloat in a tightly packed Western Conference.
As for the Sixers, they’ll be without Paul George, who is serving a 25-game suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug policy. It’s a notable absence, but with the Warriors down multiple key contributors, Golden State’s issues run deeper than just one missing opponent.
The next few days are going to be pivotal for the Warriors - both on the court and in the front office. Whether Kuminga gets moved or not, whether the Giannis dream turns into something real or fades away, one thing is clear: the Warriors are at a crossroads. And Tuesday night’s game might be the calm before a very loud storm.