As the NBA trade deadline creeps closer, the Milwaukee Bucks have surfaced as a potential landing spot for Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga - a name that’s been floating around the rumor mill with increasing urgency. According to recent reports, the Warriors are actively shopping the fifth-year forward, and Milwaukee’s need to shake things up might just give Golden State the leverage it needs to get something meaningful in return.
Let’s start with where things stand for Kuminga. Since December 7, he’s logged just nine minutes of game time - a clear signal that his role in Golden State’s rotation has all but evaporated.
The situation reached a tipping point when, on the very first day he became eligible to be traded, Kuminga formally requested a move. That’s not subtle.
It’s a player who sees the writing on the wall and wants a fresh start.
From the Warriors’ standpoint, the challenge isn’t just finding a trade partner - it’s finding the right one. Kuminga is still young and on a manageable two-year, $47 million deal, which makes him an intriguing asset.
But Golden State isn’t looking to offload him for pennies on the dollar. They’re after a player who can immediately contribute alongside Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, and ideally, they’d like to avoid throwing in future draft capital to make it happen.
Their top target? Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets.
On paper, it’s a fit. Porter’s offensive skill set could slide in nicely next to Curry and Butler.
But Brooklyn’s not biting - they’re reportedly not interested in taking on Kuminga’s contract, which has stalled talks.
That’s where the Bucks come in.
Milwaukee has been hovering on the edge of desperation. At 17-24 and sitting in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, the pressure is mounting - and not just in the standings.
The looming possibility of Giannis Antetokounmpo growing frustrated or even considering an exit has the Bucks front office exploring every possible avenue to keep their franchise cornerstone happy. They’ve been linked to just about every available name on the market, and while Kuminga doesn’t have All-Star credentials, his upside is real.
The idea here is simple: bring in a young, athletic forward who could inject some new energy into the rotation and potentially blossom into a long-term piece next to Giannis. It’s not a blockbuster move, but it’s the kind of swing that shows Milwaukee is serious about building something sustainable - or at least showing Giannis that they’re not standing still.
In return, the Bucks could offer up Bobby Portis, a veteran forward who brings toughness, spacing, and a solid locker room presence. Portis doesn’t fit the mold of a high-octane third scorer, but he does bring value - especially to a Warriors team that could use more frontcourt depth and floor spacing. Golden State has shown interest in Portis before, and if other options fall through, this could be the kind of practical, mutually beneficial deal that gets done.
To be clear, this isn’t the kind of trade that shakes up the league overnight. But it’s the kind of move that could quietly reshape the trajectory of two teams trying to recalibrate mid-season.
For the Warriors, it’s about maximizing what’s left of the Curry-Butler window. For the Bucks, it’s about showing Giannis they’re still in the fight.
And for Kuminga? It might just be the fresh start he’s been waiting for.