Mike Dunleavy dropped a reality check on Jonathan Kuminga’s trade request.
The Golden State Warriors GM didn’t sugarcoat his words when asked about the 23-year-old forward’s demand to leave Golden State, Dunleavy delivered a brutally honest assessment that had NBA fans celebrating his transparency.
Kuminga requested a trade on January 15, the first day he became eligible to be moved after signing his two-year, $46.8 million deal last fall. Since December 18, he has been buried at the bottom of Steve Kerr’s rotation. After that, he played 18 games, averaging just 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.
The Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks have shown interest in Kuminga, according to recent reports. But his showing is not convincing enough to make a trade call and get a genuine return for a seventh overall pick.
Dunleavy suggested that the market isn’t exactly heating up for him, but with an ice-cold response.
“I think as far as the demand, I’m aware of that,” Dunleavy said before Tuesday’s game against Toronto. “I think in terms of demands, when you make a demand, there needs to be demand on the market. So we’ll see where that unfolds.”
The GM continued, “I’m willing to work with them, it’s JK or any player on our roster. But we got to do what’s best for our organization and that’s what we’ll do.”
Mike Dunleavey COOKED Jonathan Kuminga for demanding a trade 😭😭😭
“When you make a demand, there needs to be demand.” pic.twitter.com/OUAeL0pnzk
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) January 21, 2026
The Warriors spent the entire summer in contentious negotiations with Kuminga, using a challenging restricted free agency market to get him back on a team-friendly deal. That contract structure was designed specifically to make him tradeable at the deadline.
Warriors Fans Side with Mike Dunleavy in Shredding Jonathan Kuminga’s Trade Delusions
NBA fans on X lit up Dunleavy’s comments, praising the executive for his blunt honesty.
One fan wrote, “Why did the Warriors waste money on re-signing this guy?”
Another fan added, “Not even the Kings want him man lmao”
A third fan penned, “lol Johnathan Cuminanigga can kick rocks he’s not that guy”
The fourth one added, “bro nobody wants him im dead”
A fifth fan remarked, “he flamed him”
A random X user added, “Bluntly cooked and served that overpaid bastard.”
ALSO READ: Rich Paul Hints Jonathan Kuminga Could Thrive Elsewhere as Warriors Role Remains Unclear
The February 5 trade deadline looms, but Dunleavy made it clear the Warriors won’t simply give Kuminga away. And with Jimmy Butler’s recent ACL tear opening rotation minutes, the trade opera took another twist. So, ti remains to be seen what WAarriros will do in the coming days.
