Jonathan Kuminga‘s best chance to move on from the Warriors by the trade deadline is to keep taking advantage of his newfound opportunity, Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle writes in a subscriber-only story. A season-ending ACL injury to Jimmy Butler has enabled Kuminga to rejoin the rotation, and he responded Tuesday with 20 points and five rebounds in 21 minutes.
League sources tell Gordon that Kuminga, who issued a trade demand last week, hasn’t changed his mind about wanting out. He hasn’t received consistent playing time during his five years with the organization, and he continues to believe he could be more productive with another team where he could be a regular starter at power forward.
Gordon confirms that the Kings, who pursued a sign-and-trade last summer when Kuminga was a restricted free agent, remain the “most interested suitor.” Gordon also lists the Lakers, Mavericks and Bulls as teams that could make serious bids over the next two weeks.
General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. confirmed to Gordon that the Warriors would consider giving up future first-round picks in a potential deal if they believe the return justifies it. He also said they’re willing to accept contracts that run past next season, as Moses Moody is currently their only player with guaranteed money for 2027/28. Gordon adds that the front office is approaching the trade market with the hope of landing an established star like Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo or a rising talent such as Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III.
“There’s still time left here,” Dunleavy responded when asked about Kuminga. “He’s on our roster. I know the trade has been requested, but nothing is imminent and things in this league can change in a heartbeat.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- The Clippers and Lakers, who will square off Thursday night at Inuit Dome, have moved in different directions since their last meeting on December 20, notes Janis Carr of The Orange County Register (subscription required). After a disastrous start, the Clippers put together a 13-2 stretch and have a slight lead in the race for the West’s final play-in spot. The Lakers have dropped five of their last eight and are heading into the second leg of an eight-game road trip that’s necessitated by the Grammy Awards. “I never been a part of a road trip that’s eight games, but it’s definitely very important to get the first one,” Luka Doncic said after Tuesday’s victory at Denver. “It’s never easy to play here. And the way we stayed together the whole game was impressive. And I think that builds us up.”
- Kawhi Leonard is listed as questionable on the Clippers‘ injury report, three days after being sent home from the team’s road trip for treatment on his left knee. Leonard is dealing with a contusion that he suffered in a January 10 game at Detroit.
- Deandre Ayton didn’t return to Tuesday’s contest after being poked in the eye before halftime (Twitter link from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin), but he’s not on the Lakers‘ injury report for Thursday.
“Gordon adds that the front office is approaching the trade market with the hope of landing an established star like Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo”
But but but…I thought I was the only one saying this for the last 12 months at least?!?!? Now it’s becoming real…oh no!!!
He said an established star LIKE Giannis… OR a rising star LIKE Trey Murphy.
That’s still them just saying “we want something like this_____” and doesn’t mean anything is even going to happen.
They’ll still have to outcompete other offers and hope Giannis’s preferences on location are met.
I disagree, there has been plenty of actual rumors about those two. You are splitting hairs to try and “win” some argument that doesn’t even exist…the point is there are several prominent commenters on here lying and saying I personally made this all up…that’s called gaslighting, usually…
One of your biggest issues is that you’re almost incapable of making something up. You parrot schizophrenic twitter accounts as if they are your own thoughts.
Don’t you glaze yourself every time some random intern at ESPN says something about Giannis and the Warriors? But now you’re the only one who’s ever said it?
It still isn’t happening btw.
I think he does that when talking about Kerr.
OMG, how much drama over Kuminga… who tf cares at this point??? Pls stop posting stories after 755 times already.
I see what you’re saying but for me, I don’t have other good sources for reliable information so I appreciate the warrior updates, Kuminga updates, and the constant chatter leading up to the trade deadline.
The more the merrier for me, but I know it can get tiresome for others.
Oh for the love of god, please make the 2 year Kuminga drama stop.
Seriously, when is this nonsense gonna end? How unhappy do both parties need to be for something to actually be done about it already?
See the comments below. Trade deadline. Adios bye have a nice life.
TRADE SUCCESSFUL (on spotrac – does not include draft picks, obviously the Warriors would give up 3 FRP to the Bucks)
GSW must waive 2 player(s) before processing the trade and MEM must waive 3 player(s) before processing the trade.
NOP would have 11 players and needs to be in roster compliance – so, sign some 2way guys and random free agents still out there
WARRIORS RECEIVE:
G Antetokounmpo
T Antetokounmpo
T Murphy III
H Jones
Y Missi
PELICANS RECEIVE
J Morant
J Kuminga
BUCKS RECEIVE
D Green
L James
B James
GRIZZLIES RECEIVE
B Portis
K Looney
J Fears
S Bey
LAKERS RECEIVE
J Butler
Do it!!
Lebron has a no trade clause and isn’t going to say yes to a trade the sends him to the North Pole on a non-contender
Bron already played down the street in Cleveland and he gets to play with his bestie Draymond and Kuzma who he won a ring with. Myles Turner was in the Finals last year, Bucks are in the easier conference…there’s plenty of smoke here, Tuna.
Not with that head coach there isn’t! But in all honesty, fair point. Plenty of smoke there!
If the Warriors pick up this guys option next season…..just WOW.
I wish i could say no way but i can see them doing that and claiming they need the trade capital.
Just semantics to create the illusion that the Warriors “don’t have to trade him.”
The reality is, they are desperate just to get anything in return for a player in massive limbo right now.
Where does it say they are going to do that? They have 9 months to worry about that. Why rush into a bad trade.
Giants, it says that nowhere. I’m saying it.
Why rush into a bad trade? Because that’s all they can make. The trade has to be done now. No question at all about it. 100 percent.
The more you play this kid the more everyone will see his lack of skill. Wait till the summer? No way not going to happen. Bet the farm.
Lakers are not trading Lebron James.
He’s got a no trade clause, so only LeGM can trade Lebron.
of course nobody wants a old expensive fading star that wants to run the team.
The Grammy Awards necessitated the Lakers road trip? For that, the Lakers should get Jokic and four first-round picks for the inconvenience.
Love it how the report is quick to point out how many points Kuminga gets. Does not point out the warriors lose when he plays, he is not a smart player and is only concerned about scoring… anyone else sick of Warriors management?