The Golden State Warriors started their 2025-26 NBA campaign winning four of their first five games. However, fast forward to today, and they’ve stumbled to a 9-8 record.
Jonathan Kuminga played a significant role in the team’s early success, but his knee started acting up, and he has missed the last four games. Before he hit the injury report, Kuminga was relegated back to the bench, which reportedly irked the Golden State Warriors youngster.
“The Warriors lost five of their next seven. Kuminga’s turnovers spiked, and his performance dipped. Searching for rotation answers, Kerr demoted Kuminga back to a bench role, reopening old wounds. ‘He feels like the scapegoat again,’ one team source said.” ESPN’s Anthony Slater wrote.
“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,” he added.
Golden State Warriors News: Jonathan Kuminga viewed as one of the best trade chips in the league
In a recent column by Marc Stein, one anonymous executive believes that if the Golden State Warriors decide to blow it up, trading Jonathan Kuminga for assets is a good way to start.
“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. ‘It’s one of the best trade chips in the league,’” Stein wrote.
Kuminga has been one of the team’s top scorers this season, averaging 13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists on 47.8 percent shooting from the field across 13 regular season appearances.
