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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 27: Jonathan Kuminga #1 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after making a dunk on the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Chase Center on October 27, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Jonathan Kuminga is back in the Golden State Warriors’ rotation — but his desire to leave the franchise remains unchanged.

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the 23-year-old forward remains committed to being traded ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline, even as Golden State has reintegrated him into the lineup following Jimmy Butler’s season-ending ACL injury.

“Sources have told me that Kuminga has no desire to remain with the Golden State Warriors,” Haynes said Thursday on NBA on Prime. “He is very much hoping that he will be dealt by the deadline.”

The development underscores the fragile nature of Kuminga’s return to the court, been driven by necessity rather than reconciliation.

Kuminga-Kerr Relationship ‘Fractured Beyond Repair’

Haynes painted a stark picture of the underlying tension between Kuminga and the organization, particularly with head coach Steve Kerr.

“I’m told that his relationship with head coach Steve Kerr is fractured beyond repair,” Haynes said. “He’s felt that he hasn’t had any organizational support throughout this process. So, he’s felt devalued within the organization.”

Kuminga had not played since Dec. 18 before rejoining the rotation this week, a prolonged absence that included a stretch of coach’s decisions (CD-DNPs) that fueled leaguewide speculation about his future.

While Golden State planned to gradually increase Kuminga’s workload after Butler went down, the return has not altered his stance about continuing his career elsewhere.

Warriors Open to Waiting Until Summer

Despite Kuminga’s firm position, rival teams believe Golden State may ultimately choose patience.

Haynes reported that several teams around the league expect the Warriors to hold onto Kuminga through the deadline and revisit a trade in the offseason, particularly if acceptable value does not materialize in the coming days.

That posture aligns with recent comments from Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., who acknowledged Kuminga’s trade request but emphasized market realities.

“As far as the demand, I’m aware of that,” Dunleavy said during a news conference. “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.”

Dunleavy reiterated that the organization’s responsibility is to act in its own best interest, even when a player seeks a change of scenery.

“I’m disappointed it hasn’t worked out better,” he said. “But it is what it is. I know a trade has been requested. But nothing is imminent. Things in this league can change in a heartbeat, as they did last night. So he’s gotta be ready.”

Agent Pushes Back on Market Narrative

Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, publicly challenged the suggestion that demand for his client is lacking, framing the issue as one of opportunity and valuation rather than talent.

“Demand is sensitive to price or playing time,” Turner wrote on X. “So if a seller sees demand is low, lower the price point or let him play and demand will go.”

The message reflected frustration with how Kuminga’s role — or lack thereof — may have suppressed his perceived market value.

Kings Remain Interested, But Price Gap Remains

According to Haynes, the Sacramento Kings remain among the teams with interest in Kuminga. However, Golden State has not received the return it initially hoped for.

At one point, Sacramento had discussed a framework involving Malik Monk and a protected first-round pick in a future draft. Multiple reports have since indicated that the pick component is no longer on the table following Kuminga’s extended absence from the rotation before Butler’s injury.

That shift has contributed to the current stalemate as the Warriors continue to tell teams they do not want long-term contracts in return for Kuminga.

Injury Interrupts Promising Return

Kuminga’s second game back in the rotation showed why the Warriors still value him — and why the trade calculus remains complicated.

He scored 10 points in just nine minutes on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line before landing awkwardly while driving to the basket at the 4:29 mark of the second quarter.

He did not return after suffering what was initially described as a non-serious injury to his knee and ankle.

“I just talked to him,” Kerr said after Golden State’s 123–115 loss, their second straight since Butler’s injury. “He said he’s going to get an MRI (Friday). It was both the knee and the ankle. We’ll see how bad it is. It’s such a shame. He was playing great, and that definitely hurt as well — not having him available for the second half.”

Warriors’ Initial Tests Point to Minor Issue

ESPN’s Anthony Slater later reported that Kuminga’s injury is not believed to be serious, citing a league source after initial testing.

“Kuminga, who limped out of the locker room postgame, told ESPN the knee was bothering him more and that he would wait to see how it felt Friday morning before deciding whether to get an MRI,” Slater wrote.

Kuminga’s health appears unlikely to derail trade talks — but his situation remains one of the Warriors’ most delicate balancing acts as the deadline approaches.

Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo

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