Jonathan Kuminga Returns to Warriors Rotation Amid Trade Buzz, Impresses in Comeback Performance
The Warriors have found themselves at the center of a storm lately, and not just because of their up-and-down season. The latest flashpoint? Jonathan Kuminga’s trade request - and the very public response it’s generated from both the front office and his camp.
General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. didn’t mince words when addressing the situation earlier this week, telling reporters, “When there’s a demand, there needs to be a demand on the market.” That’s not exactly the kind of quote you hear every day from a GM, especially when it concerns a young talent like Kuminga. But it didn’t take long for Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, to fire back - quoting the “law of demand” on social media and suggesting that if playing time is the issue, the solution is simple: “Let him play and demand will go up.”
Whether that message hit home or not, the Warriors took action - and the timing couldn't have been more convenient. With Jimmy Butler sidelined for the season due to a torn ACL, Golden State had a clear vacancy in the rotation. Kuminga got the call Tuesday night, and he made the most of it.
In his first game action in over a month, the 23-year-old forward dropped 20 points on a hyper-efficient 7-of-10 shooting in just 21 minutes. The Warriors may have lost the game by 18, but Kuminga’s performance was a bright spot - and a reminder of the upside that made him such a tantalizing prospect in the first place.
“It was great,” head coach Steve Kerr said postgame. “He came in and had great energy, attacked the rim, made some shots. I thought JK was really good and it’s a great sign.”
Kerr also pointed to the obvious - with Butler out, there’s a hole in the lineup, and Kuminga has a chance to fill it. “JK’s gonna factor in here again,” Kerr said. “Really pleased with the way he stayed ready and stayed prepared and got his opportunity and played really well.”
Draymond Green echoed that sentiment, praising Kuminga’s professionalism and attitude during what’s been a tense stretch.
“I think we’ve all been very vocal about how he’s handled himself,” Green said. “He’s been incredible.
And that is proven by the game he had. If you’ve been a nuisance, if you will, that game doesn’t happen for you.”
It’s a telling quote from one of the team’s emotional leaders - and a clear indication that, despite the trade noise, Kuminga hasn’t let it derail his focus.
Around the Pacific: Coaching Uncertainty in Golden State, Sabonis Eased Back, Lakers Lock In
The Warriors’ on-court drama isn’t the only storyline swirling in the Bay. Behind the scenes, there’s growing chatter about Steve Kerr’s future with the franchise.
According to reports, multiple assistant coaches have been operating under the assumption that Kerr won’t be back for the 2026-27 season. That doesn’t mean Kerr has made any decisions - his contract is up after this season, and no announcement has been made - but it’s enough to get assistants thinking about their next move.
One example: longtime assistant Chris DeMarco left earlier this season to take a job in the WNBA.
Meanwhile, in Sacramento, the Kings are taking a cautious approach with Domantas Sabonis as he works his way back from a knee injury. The All-Star big man has come off the bench in his first three games back, averaging just 19.3 minutes per night.
And according to head coach Doug Christie, that’s not a medical mandate - it’s a coaching decision. Sabonis is also expected to sit out the second half of a back-to-back against Toronto as part of ongoing injury management.
And in Los Angeles, the Lakers may have finally found something to build on. Tuesday’s win over the defending champion Nuggets wasn’t just a quality victory - it was one of the more cohesive defensive efforts we’ve seen from this group all season. Head coach JJ Redick pointed to the team’s chemistry and mindset as a key factor.
“One of the things that makes it complicated for us is, we have a lot of guys that are going to be free agents, and we have a lot of guys that have player options for next summer, so you might as well count them as free agents,” Redick said. “And the tendency for any athlete when things aren’t going well … you’re naturally going to turn inward.”
Redick and his staff are emphasizing unity and accountability - and if Tuesday night was any indication, the message might finally be getting through.
Bottom Line
Jonathan Kuminga’s situation is still fluid, and trade talks could pick up again before the deadline. But for now, he’s back on the court - and if he keeps performing like he did Tuesday night, the Warriors may have to rethink their plans.
Whether he stays or goes, Kuminga’s talent is undeniable. And in a season full of uncertainty, that’s one thing Golden State can count on.