The Jonathan Kuminga situation in Golden State is heating up again, and all signs point to a potential shakeup once the calendar flips to mid-January. The young forward, who has long been viewed as one of the Warriors’ most intriguing talents, is expected to draw significant interest across the league when he becomes trade-eligible on January 15, 2026. And yes, the Sacramento Kings are very much in the picture.
Let’s rewind a bit. Over the summer, Kuminga and the Warriors found themselves at a crossroads.
Talks around a contract extension didn’t exactly go smoothly, and while the two sides eventually agreed to a two-year deal, it never felt like a long-term resolution. More like a band-aid than a bridge.
The Warriors were up against the extension deadline, and a short-term deal gave them flexibility - and time. Time to explore the trade market, time to see if this relationship could still work, or time to position themselves for a better return down the line.
But make no mistake: the tension hasn’t gone anywhere. Kuminga has superstar potential - that much isn’t up for debate.
He’s a 6'8" forward with elite athleticism, defensive versatility, and flashes of offensive upside that make scouts and execs perk up. Yet, for whatever reason, he hasn’t found consistent footing in Steve Kerr’s rotation.
Whether it’s a clash of styles, philosophies, or just plain chemistry, the fit has never quite clicked.
That dynamic feels eerily similar to what’s playing out in Sacramento, where head coach Doug Christie and guard Keon Ellis reportedly haven’t been on the same page. In both cases, there’s no major off-court drama or glaring performance issue - just a sense that the coaching staff isn’t fully bought in. And when that happens, the writing tends to show up on the wall sooner rather than later.
Now, back to Kuminga and the trade clock. Most offseason contracts become trade-eligible on December 15.
But because Kuminga re-signed as a free agent - and on a deal that pays him more than his previous one - his eligibility date is pushed back to January 15. That’s a key detail, especially for a Warriors team navigating a tight salary cap situation.
They can’t move him before then, even if they wanted to.
That’s where Sacramento comes in. The Kings have been lurking in the background of this saga for months.
There were whispers that Kuminga had eyes for Sacramento as a landing spot - though whether that was genuine interest or strategic noise to stir the pot in Golden State is anyone’s guess. Either way, the Kings are believed to still be interested, and they’re reportedly open to moving multiple players to get a deal done.
This could be a classic California swap in the making. Sacramento has young pieces and contracts that could match up well in a multi-team trade scenario.
And for the Kings, adding a player like Kuminga - someone who fits their timeline and could thrive in a system that leans into his strengths - makes a lot of sense. They’ve been looking for that next-level wing to complement De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, and Kuminga could be that guy.
Of course, the Warriors will have no shortage of suitors. Kuminga’s upside is too tantalizing to ignore, especially for teams willing to bet on development and opportunity. But the Kings have been circling for a while, and once January 15 arrives, they could be ready to pounce.
Until then, it’s a waiting game. But the tension is real, and the pieces are in motion. Come mid-January, don’t be surprised if Kuminga’s name is at the center of one of the first major moves of the 2026 trade season.