Monday’s victory over Miami should have represented a new high point for the 2025/26 Warriors, who registered their fourth consecutive win and moved to six games above .500 (25-19) for the first time this season.
Instead, they’re facing an uncertain second half without star wing Jimmy Butler, who suffered a torn right ACL that will bring his season to an early end and limit the short-term ceiling of this Golden State team.
Even before Butler’s injury, there were questions about the Warriors’ ability to legitimately contend for a title this season. They’ve hovered around .500 for most of the season, and despite their recent hot streak, they still rank just eighth in the West.
Still, if the club had stayed healthy and been able to turn trade candidate Jonathan Kuminga (and maybe a draft pick or two) into another quality rotation player, it wasn’t hard to envision the Warriors securing a playoff spot and becoming a tough out in the postseason. That’s a more difficult outcome to imagine with Butler sidelined the rest of the way.
With 16 days left until February 5, the Warriors will now have to reevaluate their approach to this season’s trade deadline. Kuminga is at the center of those plans. A deal involving the former No. 7 overall pick had long seemed like a foregone conclusion, even before he demanded a change of scenery upon becoming trade-eligible last week.
But with Butler out, could there be a pathway to Kuminga reentering the rotation? The fifth-year forward has been held out of 16 games in a row and has played fewer than 10 total minutes since December 6, but head coach Steve Kerr said on Monday that he’d “absolutely” consider using Kuminga going forward.
According to Nick Friedell of The Athletic, Kuminga declined comment when approached after Monday’s game, but when Kerr was asked if the 23-year-old would be ready to play, the Warriors’ coach simply replied, “Yeah.”
Appearing on SportsCenter (Twitter video link), ESPN’s Shams Charania acknowledged the possibility of Kuminga rejoining the rotation, but cited sources who say the relationship between the forward and Kerr is “fractured beyond repair.” Noting that the Kings are still interested in Kuminga after pursuing him as a restricted free agent over the summer, Charania wonders if the Warriors will instead try to use Kuminga as a trade chip to acquire a replacement for Butler, such as Sacramento’s DeMar DeRozan.
While some teams would transition from buyers to sellers after losing a maximum-salary star to a season-ending injury, that would probably be a last resort in Golden State. The Warriors want to do all they can to make the most of the time they have left with Stephen Curry, who will turn 38 in March.
Besides Kuminga, the Warriors could make players like Buddy Hield ($9.2MM cap hit) and Moses Moody ($11.6MM) available in trade talks, and they have the ability to trade multiple first-round picks and/or swaps — only their 2030 pick is partially constricted (it’ll be sent to Washington if it falls outside of the top 20).
Still, Golden State is currently operating within $300K of its second-apron hard cap and will have limited financial flexibility in trade discussions. Additionally, Butler’s contract ($54.1MM this season; $56.8MM in 2026/27) will be problematic — he won’t have any value on the trade market following his ACL tear, but building a roster capable of winning playoff series will be extremely difficult as long as his contract remains on the books and he remains off the court.
We want to know what you think. What’s next for the Warriors after Butler’s injury? Will we see Kuminga on the floor as a Warrior again? What should Golden State do at the trade deadline?
Head to the comment section below to weigh in with your thoughts and predictions!
Fire sale!
I’d trade them all away including Steph. He’s 38 years old. It’s over. Take the draft picks and follow OKC’s model.
Trading Steph would mean devaluing the franchise, the owners will NEVER do that. It would be suicide.
To the highest bidder! He’s 38 and it’s over.
Lebron is 41 and playing still. Age is just a number until not 🗣️
He’s going to retire soon. Will they make him stay in order to not devalue the franchise?
Are the patriots worth less now that Tom Brady retired? Lol – NO.
Wrong. The NFL and the NBA aren’t the same things.
Curry is 100% not retiring anytime soon – that’s wishcasting by you because you are sick of him destroying your fave team.
Nah man I’ve enjoyed watching Curry play. It’s been a lot of fun. I hope he continues but nothing lasts forever. Sell while you can. I wish the Pats traded Brady right after that last Rams Super Bowl. I’m glad the Celtics traded KG and Pierce. We got Tatum and Brown from that.
Trade Steph if he wants to go compete for a title somewhere with a legit contender, otherwise let him retire. Either way, Steph needs to go before they can fix this team.
Count me in with the trade Steph crowd. People will still pay up for him with legit picks even though he’s 38. Warriors are crazy not to do it, they should trade anyone worth anything. It’s sad to see it end, those warrior teams were a lot of fun and truly great, but it’s over now. Kaput! Finished! Fat lady is singing. Let Steph go out with a bang.
If Steph wants to play for a winner, which he could conceivably want since he’s a competitor through and through and he still has so much game, then let him without objection. In fact, the warriors should be encouraging him to want that. Just like LeBron, the lakers know deep down that their best Luka teams won’t be on the floor until they can shed Brons contract. In two years they’ll be spending Bron’s money on someone like Anthony Edwards, or someone of his ilk. They can’t wait!!
The Warriors know that they can’t get on with rebuilding until Steph’s deal is off the books. The only difference is that Steph does have marketing value, but the team itself will be irrelevant from here on forward. He’ll be his incredible self on a garbage team that no one really wants to watch. Watching Steph highlights from the game after the fact will be enough for people. Who wants to watch a full game of he junk they’re going to put on the court for the foreseeable future?.
If Steph wants out he should be allowed to go anywhere he’s cool with going to. Houston would be kinda cool in a way. He’s look pretty great on every one of those contenders.. imagine him and Jokic! Steph loves playing beautiful basketball, why wouldn’t he want to keep doing that? He loves the playoffs and the competition, why wouldn’t he want to play with guys who are able to make a run at it? Steph should want whatever Steph wants… and we should all say “make it so.”
I’m down with Steph and Durant 2.0 in H-Town, that would be sweet!
The idea that anyone would think that Steph would want out of GS is baffling. He’s not going to wear another uniform. Come on.
At this point the team is more lipstick than pig
Lmfao
They are 12-4 over their last 16.
we know you were happy to see him go down with your hatred for the warriors.
They need to trade Draymond, Steph, and anyone else not on a rookie contract that another team might want. The dynasty is finished and Steph’s greatness interferes with the inevitable rebuild. He’ll keep them close to .500, they need to be closer to .250. It’s happening soon anyway, why not get on with it? They’re not going to win anything anymore until they can put together a brand new team.
If they were to trade Curry they would get a boatload of draft picks and young players. Put him on any of the top 8 teams and they are the #1 team to win it all. Think of him on Houston, SA, Denver, and ect… they are the champs with Curry.
There are no teams that could add a $60M player or match that much to make a deal work. And if you think the Warriors are going to trade their franchise player of the last 50 years, you are really nuts. No way they will give up the 3 or 4 more AS seasons he has in the tank or any sort of farewell he might one day do… nor would he want to wear any other uniform. Come on. Get real.
Dubs are kill….
The Warriors wanted a pick and a rotation player for Kuminga last summer. They had no takers. Does anyone think that will happen now?
My prediction is that they’ll struggle to get anyone of genuine use in return for Kuminga. Steph will put his cape on and play big minutes to keep them afloat, which he will for awhile, until he pings a hammy. They’ll fall back into the play in.They’ll make it out of the play in, only to get crushed by the Thunder.
Warriors need someone from their bench to step up in a big way. Not sure if any of them have it in them any more or even will.
warriors can file for a cap exception since Butler makes so much. That will help them bring in a player. problem is Butler was their 2nd best player so even with a trade they will be down a player. Worse time to have this bad of an injury with the team finally gel and playing their best ball.
the deadline for that exception passed on the 15th
Trade for LeBron!
LAKERS ACQUIRE:
J Kuminga
J Butler
WARRIORS ACQUIRE:
L James
B James
R Hachimura
J Hayes
Lmao, why on earth would the Lakers ever make this trade?? It’s absurd.
They wouldn’t.
Even though Bron is maybe 70% of what he once was, that’s 5000% better than what Jimmy Butler and kuminga have to offer the lakers right now. Throw in Hayes, who they like, and Rui who has historically been really solid for them…. They’ll throw those guys in to match salaries IF they get a player who improves the team THIS year.
You forgot to throw Luka and Reaves in there too, lol!!!
After next season, they had one player signed. Might as well start the process. Since Butler won’t be ready until the end of next season when his contract expires, buy him out. Tank the rest of season and get a better draft position. Maybe they’ll have some cap space in the summer. Time to find the next Klay/Draymond/Steph.
Butler had 2 surgeries on teh same knee so i am doubtful he comes back from the injury. Buy him out might be the best solution so they can sign somebody good next season. I think the Kuminga trade might be hanning sooner since they will not be holding out for Giannis now.
I love when I’m on tbe right side of history
I’ve always said signing a 36 year old injury prone player for multiple years was a terrible idea. Jimmy was already untradeable and now with this injury he is even more.
The Warriors windows closed once they extended him and it was very clear by anyone that understands basketball.
You take a risk with every player. The Warriors took a huge risk with Curry. He was untradeable. It kinda worked out. Butler did produce. The extension fit the Warriors timeline. That’s how things work.
How does signing a declining injury prone player until he is 38 fits the winning now timeline? 38 doesnt win, 28 does…
Jimmy doesnt fit any timeline and never did for the Warriors
It is pretty obvious that the Warriors have been better with him in the lineup. His contract expires at the end of next season, as does everyone else. Rebuild time.
there is no 2 timeline anymore that was when they had Poole. Why do people still claim this?
LAKERS ACQUIRE:
J Kuminga
J Butler
WARRIORS ACQUIRE:
L James
B James
R Hachimura
J Hayes
Why would the Lakers make that ludicrous trade?
As a Warriors fan, I hope Kuminga doesnt play
Steve Kerr did him really wrong, they dont deserve his help…
Would it make sense for the Warriors and Mavs to do a straight up Anthony Davis for Jimmy Butler trade? Contracts are essentially the same. Mavs can continue the tank and play for next year. Dubs get the big man they need with AD returning to the lineup this season.
Mavs get a little younger by moving off AD and would field Kyrie, ’26 draft pick, Flagg, Butler and Lively/PJ for ’26-’27, which is pretty compelling.
This makes a lot of sense, although the Mavs do not get younger.
Jimmy is from Texas after all.
The Mavs should be in tank mode and the Warriors could use Anthony Davis this season.
I wonder if you could somehow throw Kuminga for Klay Thompson + Christie in there as well.
Fair trade If the Warriors throw in future a pick swap
Christie isn’t going anywhere, from local beat reports. Mavs love him as a rotational player.
So the guy who they gave up Luka for is moved less than a year later for a guy who could quite possibly never play again. I get AD’S value is low but I don’t think it’s low though that they get no active players back or a contract that isn’t even expiring.
I assume there would be draft pick compensation attached, as well, if Butler is due to miss the first half of 2026-27 season.
If they want draft compensation in a deal for Anthony Davis, they will have to attach Christie. It’s no one’s fault but their own that they traded Luka for street clothes, and the Mavs fan base don’t want any reminders of that trade – hence trading Christie makes more sense. If the Warriors add kuminga for klay to the deal they would need someone like Marshall in return more than Christie, though I’d still feel like an unprotected first rounder would be too much to attach for the Warriors, unless it’s in a year that Steph Curry is still under contract
This may be the only logical AD trade that I’ve seen. Warriors could take a chance on AD getting healthy and staying on the court. Not much else they could do with Jimmy Butler now.
This may make a little sense if Butler’s contract expired this year and the Warriors added picks. But why would any team pay butler next year over $50m when he may not even play next year or if he does he won’t be very good?
To get out of AD’s $62M player option for the 27/28 season.
Jimmy Butler four days ago: “I’m not old,
first of all.”
Narrator: “He was, in fact, very old.”
Normal jumps get you in your late 30’s, looked like a standard middle aged knee to me. Happens at the YMCA all the time.
GSW has limited options – they’re probably not going to be able to trade injured Butler, and if anything this reduces Kuminga’s market further, if that’s even possible.
Here’s the problem with the Butler injury along with the Kuminga DNP’s. Teams will control the market against the Warriors. They know MDJ is desperate to get Steph into the playoffs. Teams will use those Post Curry picks as leverage for any trade that needs to be completed.
A few trade offers that I would probably do if I’m MDJ.
JJJ and Ty Jerome for Kuminga, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield and a future protected top 10 pick in the the draft.
Draymond and Podziemski plus unprotected 1st rounder in the future for Claxton and Cam Thomas.
If both deals happen, GSW can run out
PG Steph Curry
SG Cam Thomas
SF DeAndre Melton
PF Jaren Jackson Jr
C Nicholas Claxton
Bench: Santos/Spencer/Post/TDJ/Richard – probably would be in line of someone’s buyout service as well.
They get deeper, better and more importantly they get more athletic and bigger. Cam is on a reasonable $5.4M salary this year, and would be perfect 2nd scorer with Curry. JJJ and Clax would be excellent P&R guys who also can protect the cup. You’ll have to sacrifice picks now given the Butler injury but it’s either that or missing the playoffs.
FWIW: If Warriors don’t make playoffs, and the Blazers will, that means the Bulls pick is conveyed to them this June.
:-)
Damn it I meant Ty Jerome on the bench as well. Sorry, brain was in over drive lol.
Also DeAnthony Melton. SMH
Cam Thomas?
Be fr
Bucket is a bucket. He’s been bad this year but prior to his injury he was near 25 PPG.
I don’t think anyone wants Moody or Hield, certainly not for any valuable players. I mean, we’re hearing ppl try to repackage the same spare parts they thought could get them MPJ. On what entitled planet are the Warriors pulling that off? And Steph Curry isn’t leaving the nba anytime in the near future. Does he look like he’s slowing down at all to you? I bet he plays 5 more years.
That’s why those post Curry picks will be valuable I believe. We can’t say “he plays 5 more years”. Anything can happen at any given time. I do see him playing until he’s 40 which would be after the 2028 season, and that means 2029/2030/2031 picks are going to be gold.
For Steph, age is just a number. Again, have you seen him slow down at all?
If Steph loses a step or 2, he’ll be what, just a top 15% player rather than top 1%? He’s not walking away from the game. I don’t know why ppl do this.
I never said he’s walking away from the game right now, I said in a few years. Age is a number? Basketball is so demanding on your body even if you are playing at a high level at 38-40, the process just takes a bit longer to recover. Yes, he would be a top 15% player, but do you want a guy who is making $62M at age 39 be the focal point of your team? Lakers even figured that out and “traded” for Luka, knowing that LBJ at 40 cannot carry them and he needed help. You seriously think Curry is going to play until he’s 42/43? He’s not Lebron, where he needs to play with his son, just so his son can actually have a roster spot in the NBA, rather than be in the GLeague. Steph’s ego isn’t close to Lebron’s. I see him being content with his legacy and probably take a front office role after his career is dwindling down.
We’ll see. We don’t know that Curry won’t take lesser money to make it work for the team. What I see is ppl forecasting the end for Steph Curry while ignoring that he’s still a top 5 player.
The Warriors have one player under contract after next season. I don’t think they can afford to give up picks.
Stick to the Bulls, this 2k crud aint it.
Funny, you should follow your own advice “Mr Quentin Post is better than Vucevic:”
Do you need water with that salt Davey???
This Dave guy does kind of ask for it, lol. Feel free to be a Bulls fan, man. They’ll figure it out someday. That guy seems to do that because he needs a pecking order, this place is super important to him. It’s weird.
Post literally is better than Vucevic. Vuc gets more minutes, therefore gets more raw stats, but Post is the better overall player, and the player literally everyone would want moving forward. Not his fault is coach is a weirdo who refuses to play his bigs. Post’s record the last 16 games: 12-4. Whatt’s Vuc’s?
But sure, the Dubs will totally make 17 different trades this deadline, that always happens. Cool NBA2K post, dork.
Actually Kerr in his press confrence last night that playing Kuminga is a big possibility now. Kuminga should know he can increase his chances of being traded if he plays. So no more fake injuries for him.
Stop with this bs. Ths ship haa sailed. There’s absolutely no trust betwen them.
just quoted Kerr from last night.
Thats what I mean. He can be a fraud at times.
The joke on Kerr will be Kuminga becoming a team leader now and the Dubs winning a playoff round.
Curry/Moody/Kuminga/Green/Post with Podziemski/Melton/Horford/Richard/Hield whats the problem? How is this roster any different from 2021/2022?
Because the only talented players from the current team are in their late 30’s passed their primes. Age comes for everyone eventually. Curry will retire after a losing year or get traded because Gooden State won’t be competitive the next couple seasons at best. I’m sorry Davey but it’s over
Stop wishcasting, its pathetic. It’s literally not over. You clowns have been repeating this since 2019. It’s over when Curry drops to being a 1.5 VORP player.
If GSW wins the title this year, will you be ok?
Not that different. They had Wiggins playing well in the Finals. They need size, and more experience. When they get Jimmy back, they will be well. Many people are saying trade Curry because he is 37 already, I disagree, having the best shooter in the NBA, and as clutch and proven winner as Steph is, you never trade a guy like that. And shooting is the skill that is less affected by time. Steph can continue playing at a great level for many years, and, even if he needs in some years another guard to rest him more, the other team, in the final moments of a close playoff game, will still be having to guard Steph Curry, so I’m not sure many teams would welcome that situation.
Warriors don’t need to rush anything, just continue building for next year, rest and push the veterans to maximize their production (Draymond), resolve on Kuminga (keep or trade), and add the pieces they need to add for next year, or the other.
From the top of my mind, pieces you can get for cheap and will help next year and the other: Brook Lopez, DeAndre Jordan, Looney. I wouldn’t even count out Kevin Freakin’ Love.
Last dance Bulls had 7-2 Longley at C, and 4 more 7 footers on the bench, neither were crafty nor skillful, determinating players, but they had size and experience, they were bruisers. And that’s what you need for depth, once you have covered the main positions.
Nice analysis dude! I can totally see them standing pat almost entirely, although they might flip Buddy and a 2nd for a SF to replace the Jimmy minutes. Kuminga is playing terribly in his return game here lol guess he’s rusty??
On one hand, if they traded Jimmy, Kuminga, Draymond, GP2 and Buddy and got back at minimum 3 solid rotation regulars and at maximum, someone like Giannis, that’s a way to contend for the title this year.
On the other hand, GSW does have an interesting mix of young guys who aren’t finished products yet, who actually are showing improvement over time (except for Kuminga), so standing pat might not be their worst move.
They are comically too-small and are currently being exposed by the Raptors as such, so one would hope bigs and tall wings would be on the way to replace the Jimmy minutes at minimum. The Warriors actually -do- have the firepower to pull off a major move though, and a lot more firepower than pretty much all other teams (besides the Spurs and Thunder, who have both said they likely will not be making any major moves anytime soon).
This is really the end.
The Warriors should not trade any future draft capital to maximize the “window.” They need to start thinking about how to gracefully close the curtain on the Curry/Kerr era which will officially end after the 26/27 season. They need to surround Curry with enough talent that next season is not an embarrassment without mortgaging too much of their future.
I agree no reason to trade any picks unless its this years pick because it a mid level pick unless a much needed star. Post and Richards are showing a lot of promise. Podz is living up to his potential and Moody. No superstar but potential. Will need to draft the next super star.
Why would any team give something up for Kuminga? He will be a free agent beginning of next year and they can get him without giving up anything to the Warriors and pay him a lot less than $20m a year.
The Warriors are not guaranteeing kinunga’s salary next year if they can’t get rid of him this year!
There’s value in getting the look to see if it fits for 35 games
Its a terrible free agency coming up, not a bad idea to start looking for nuggets now rather than in June/July
If he plays well you pick up the team option then have early bird rights after to sign him if your over the cap then.
Or if he fits so well work out a comfortable long term deal with him.
If he stinks just expire him out and decline the option
How about Jimmy Butler’s contract? Does it have any positive trade value? Kuminga and Butler for Morant’s bad contract?
No
Best bet with Jimmy is just to wait and hopefully get some positive updates next Thanksgiving
Pending where GSW stands then they can pivot appropriately
Skinny- Nobodies goin in blind on Jimmy right now
They gonna have to do some pivoting at some point. From a fading dynasty to a rebuilding project.
Possibly, the NBA is crazy trying to project out 18 months with any kind of certainty
With a little 27 summer free agency luck, some ping pong ball luck the next 2 drafts, some savvy trades, a possible pay-cut from Steph next extension you never know
I do however think the next 2 playoffs for them are bleak
How they chose to dance in that time frame is anyones guess…Id guess very carefully with summer 27 being the North Star
#FreeKuminga
Look, no one cares about GSW, just let the man go, they have wrecked his career so far, this has to stop right now!
Vucci Mane & Coby W for JK & pick