A longtime NBA executive told Marc Stein on Thursday that Golden State Warriors wing Jonathan Kuminga makes for “one of the best trade chips in the league.”
Warriors Could Trade Jonathan Kuminga
Kuminga was a restricted free agent last summer. After a prolonged contract dispute, the Warriors and Kuminga agreed to a two-year, $46.8 million contract extension with a team option for 2026-27.
Per Spotrac, Kuminga’s deal includes a 15% trade bonus and a trade restriction. As part of the deal, the former first-rounder also waived his inherent no-trade clause.
The club option in the second year is designed for either Golden State or another team if and when Kuminga is traded this season. That seems inevitable at this point.
Stein added this in his report:
“As the Warriors continue to scuffle in the face of a difficult early schedule, fading from their 4-1 start thanks to a 2-5 tailspin fueled by the extended absence of Stephen Curry, anticipation grows in various corners of the league that Kuminga will be dealt before the Feb. trade deadline.
“He’s not even eligible to be moved until Jan. 15, but it’s no secret that the Warriors’ hardball stance all summer with Kuminga in the sides’ restricted free agency saga was adopted with the intention to ensure that the 23-year-old was re-signed to a tradeable contract.”
Coach Steve Kerr Demoted Kuminga
Kuminga started his first 12 games, but coach Steve Kerr demoted him back to a bench role.
Curry also led the Warriors to three straight wins just as Kuminga was added to the injury report with knee soreness. He’s been sidelined the last four games.
Despite starting the season 4-1 with Kuminga in the starting lineup, Kerr decided to move the 6-foot-8 forward into the second unit after multiple losses and several turnovers.
Kerr’s decision has reportedly reopened old wounds.
“He feels like the scapegoat again,” a Warriors source said to ESPN’s Anthony Slater on Thursday.
More importantly, Golden State is focused on winning right now amid a 9-8 start to its season. The Warriors rank eighth in the Western Conference standings, and the Kuminga drama isn’t helping the team’s morale.
“For the Warriors to reach their ceiling this season, there’s an internal belief that Kuminga, even in a condensed role, must shake off some of his built-up resentment and get back to the impact wing from the first couple of weeks, even if the long-term benefit for both sides is more about a bump in trade value than a partnership,” Slater wrote.
Free agents typically become trade-eligible on Dec. 15.
However, as Stein noted, Kuminga re-signed with the Warriors after being an unrestricted free agent. This means the two sides have to wait to trade him until Jan. 15, as that’s when the restriction deadline for players who re-signed with a team is lifted.
