Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors: A Mismatch That’s Reaching Its Breaking Point
The Golden State Warriors are no strangers to drama, but the Jonathan Kuminga saga is starting to feel less like a slow build and more like a ticking clock. Once viewed as a cornerstone of the Warriors’ ambitious “two timelines” strategy - balancing championship contention with the development of young talent - Kuminga now finds himself on the outside looking in, again.
Let’s rewind for a second. Kuminga was a restricted free agent this past summer, and there was plenty of buzz that he might be heading elsewhere.
His contract demands were high, and with Golden State’s payroll already bloated, it felt like a split was coming. Instead, the Warriors doubled down - re-signing him on a two-year, $48.5 million deal with a team option for the second year.
A commitment, yes, but also a contract that’s very tradable.
To his credit, Kuminga came out firing this season. He earned a starting role early on and looked like he was finally turning the corner. The Warriors were winning, the vibes were good, and it seemed like the franchise had finally figured out how to bridge the gap between its aging core and its younger pieces.
But that momentum didn’t last.
Now, Golden State has slipped below .500, and Kuminga - their most explosive athlete - is racking up DNPs. It’s not injury-related.
He’s just… not playing. And that’s where things get confusing, because if there’s one thing this Warriors team lacks, it’s youth, athleticism, and energy.
Kuminga brings all three. Yet somehow, he’s glued to the bench.
There’s a growing sense that a split is inevitable. And on a recent episode of Open Floor, NBA insiders Chris Mannix and Rachel Nichols dove into exactly that - exploring what’s next for Kuminga and the Warriors.
Mannix floated a few potential trade partners, starting with the New Orleans Pelicans. “The Pelicans are going nowhere,” he said, pointing to their youth movement built around players like Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears. Zion Williamson’s future is still a question mark, but New Orleans has some intriguing pieces that could interest Golden State.
Two names Mannix mentioned: Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones. Murphy is a sharpshooter with size who can space the floor, while Jones is a Swiss Army knife on defense - versatile, tough, and exactly the kind of player who can help Golden State on that end.
And that’s key, because while the Warriors are still hanging their hat on defense - currently ranking sixth in defensive rating - their offense has been stuck in the mud. They’re 22nd in offensive rating, and with the second unit struggling to generate consistent scoring, Kuminga’s absence is even more puzzling.
Mannix also brought up another potential scenario - one that’s a bit more ambitious. If the Milwaukee Bucks decide to shake things up (and yes, that includes the nuclear option of putting Giannis Antetokounmpo on the block), Mannix suggested Golden State should be watching Myles Turner closely. Turner’s rim protection and floor-spacing ability would be a massive boost for the Warriors, who have lacked a true presence in the paint since the days of Andrew Bogut.
But back to Kuminga. For all his raw talent, it’s clear something’s not clicking in Golden State.
Whether it’s a stylistic mismatch, a lack of trust from Steve Kerr, or just bad timing, the disconnect is real. Mannix summed it up bluntly: “I think Kuminga’s a good player.
I think he’s not going to be a good player in Golden State.”
It’s not a toxic relationship, but it’s one that’s clearly fraying. Kerr doesn’t seem to trust Kuminga in key moments, and Kuminga - who’s shown flashes of brilliance when given the leash - doesn’t appear to be buying into his role anymore.
And the Warriors aren’t exactly helping his trade value by benching him in favor of guys like Pat Spencer and Gui Santos. That’s not a knock on those players, but it’s hard to argue that Kuminga shouldn’t be getting minutes on a team that desperately needs a jolt.
There’s still interest around the league. The Sacramento Kings reportedly made a run at Kuminga this past offseason, and they could circle back.
The Pelicans and Bucks are worth watching too. But due to the terms of his new contract, Kuminga can’t be traded until January 15.
That gives Golden State a four-week window to either showcase him or let his value continue to slide.
Here’s the bottom line: the Warriors are struggling, and Kuminga - for all his flaws - is a player who could help them right now. Whether he’s part of their future or not, the present is screaming for a shakeup. They can’t afford to let a 21-year-old with elite athleticism waste away on the bench while chasing a playoff spot with a roster that’s starting to show its age.
Last season, Golden State’s second-half surge was sparked by a major trade deadline move. Could moving Kuminga be this year’s version of that?
We’ll find out soon enough. But for now, the Warriors are running out of time - and options.