Warriors' Stance on Jonathan Kuminga Trade Revealed

The Golden State Warriors are still expected to trade Jonathan Kuminga before the February 5 deadline despite losing Jimmy Butler to a season-ending ACL tear, according to Marc Spears of ESPN. The report comes after Kuminga returned to the lineup Tuesday night against the Toronto Raptors for the first time in over a month. Kuminga had been buried on the bench since December 18 and demanded a trade on January 15, the first day he became eligible to be moved. Butler’s injury created an immediate need for Golden State. The Warriors lack size and athleticism on the wing without Butler, and Kuminga provides both. But despite the roster hole, the Warriors remain committed to finding a trade for Kuminga before the deadline. General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. addressed Kuminga’s trade demand Tuesday, making it clear the Warriors will not give him away for nothing. “As far as the demand, I’m aware of that,” Dunleavy said, via Nick Friedell of The Athletic. “In terms of demands, when there’s a demand, there needs to be a demand on the market. So we’ll see how that unfolds.” Jonathan Kuminga’s Return Against the Raptors Kuminga played in his first game in over a month Tuesday night. He was scoreless in the first half after playing just five minutes in the second quarter. But midway through the third quarter, with the Warriors trailing by 28 points, Kuminga checked back in and went to work. He scored 12 points in the final 6:03 of the third quarter. Golden State trimmed the deficit to 14. Kuminga then played the first 10 minutes of the fourth quarter and, while he did not have the same scoring impact, he looked engaged on both ends of the floor. Kuminga finished with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting, five rebounds, and two assists. It was a strong performance for a player who had not seen the court in over a month. The Raptors defeated the Warriors 145-127, snapping Golden State’s four-game winning streak. Toronto shot 21-of-34 from three-point range, with Immanuel Quickley leading the way with 40 points. Buddy Hield led the Warriors with 25 points, while Stephen Curry struggled with just 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting. Kuminga’s performance was one of the few bright spots for Golden State in an otherwise disastrous loss. The question now is whether his return to the lineup helps or hurts his trade value. Why the Warriors Still Want to Trade Kuminga The relationship between Kuminga and the Warriors has deteriorated beyond repair. Kuminga has been benched for over a month. He demanded a trade on the first day he was eligible to be moved. And there has been widespread speculation that Kuminga and the front office agreed he would not play while the team searched for a trade partner. Even with Butler out for the season, the Warriors appear unwilling to move forward with Kuminga as a key rotation piece. The fit issues that led to Kuminga being benched—playing him alongside Butler and Draymond Green, all non-shooters—are no longer relevant. But the trust between Kuminga and the organization has eroded to the point where a fresh start seems inevitable. Dunleavy’s comments Tuesday made it clear the Warriors are not desperate. They will trade Kuminga if the right offer comes along, but they are not going to give him away for pennies on the dollar just because Butler is out. The Warriors know what Kuminga brings. He is a 23-year-old, 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward with athleticism and defensive versatility. Any player the Warriors would want in return would have a similar profile—young, capable of defending big wings, and able to score consistently. If the Warriors cannot find that type of player in a trade, the question becomes whether they just keep Kuminga. His performance Tuesday showed he can still contribute when given the opportunity. But the fractured relationship makes that option complicated. What Kuminga’s Trade Value Looks Like Kuminga is averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists on 43.1% shooting and 32% from three-point range this season. Those numbers do not jump off the page, but they also do not tell the full story. Kuminga started the first 12 games of the season and showed flashes of productivity before head coach Steve Kerr demoted him. His benching was driven more by fit than performance. The Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks have shown interest in Kuminga, according to previous reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater. But neither team has presented an offer that makes sense for the Warriors. Kuminga is on a two-year, $46.8 million contract with a team option on the second year. That structure makes him a low-risk gamble for teams looking to add a young forward with upside. But it also means the Warriors are not going to get significant draft capital or a proven veteran in return. Playing Kuminga now serves two purposes. It helps the Warriors fill minutes left vacant by Butler’s injury, and it gives potential trade partners a chance to see him perform in live game action. If Kuminga can string together a few strong performances before the deadline, his trade value could increase. Does Keeping Kuminga Make Sense for the Warriors? The Warriors face a dilemma. They need Kuminga’s size and athleticism with Butler out for the season. But the relationship has been so strained that it is unclear whether Kuminga and the organization can move forward together. If the Warriors cannot find a trade that brings back a player who addresses their needs, keeping Kuminga might be the best option. His performance Tuesday showed he can still contribute when given the chance. And with Butler out, the spacing concerns that kept Kuminga on the bench are no longer as pressing. But the personal and organizational dynamics complicate the situation. Kuminga demanded a trade. The Warriors have benched him for over a month. And the trust between the two sides appears to have eroded significantly. Dunleavy made it clear Tuesday that the Warriors will not give Kuminga away for nothing. But whether they can find a deal that makes sense before the deadline remains uncertain. Final Word for the Warriors The Warriors are still expected to trade Jonathan Kuminga despite losing Jimmy Butler to a season-ending ACL tear. Kuminga returned to the lineup Tuesday night and delivered a strong performance, scoring 20 points in his first game in over a month. But the relationship between Kuminga and the organization has been strained, and Golden State remains committed to finding a trade before the February 5 deadline. General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. made it clear the Warriors will not give Kuminga away for nothing. If the right offer comes along, Golden State will make the move. If not, the Warriors may have no choice but to keep Kuminga and figure out how to move forward. For now, Kuminga is back in the rotation. Whether that is a temporary solution to fill minutes left vacant by Butler or a showcase for potential trade partners remains to be seen.