Warriors Expected to Trade Versatile Forward Soon

The Golden State Warriors have reached a familiar crossroads.

Jonathan Kuminga remains one of the most talented young players on the roster. He is also, increasingly, the most complicated. And around the league, there is growing expectation that his time in Golden State is nearing its end.

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, rival executives are already operating under the assumption that Kuminga will be available once he becomes trade-eligible on January 15. From that point forward, many do not expect him to still be with the Warriors when the deadline passes.

“There are rival teams out there that believe that once January 15 comes, that’s when Jonathan Kuminga can be traded,” Haynes said. “When that happens, they do not expect him to still be a member of the Golden State Warriors past the trade deadline.”

The reporting reflects something that has been building quietly for months rather than weeks.

Why January 15 Matters for the Warriors

The timing is not incidental.

Kuminga signed a two-year extension in the offseason, a deal that stabilised his future on paper but delayed his trade eligibility. Once that restriction lifts, his contract immediately becomes one of Golden State’s most useful tools.

In the 2025–26 season, Kuminga is set to earn a base salary of $22.5 million, a number that cleanly slots into mid-tier and upper-tier trade constructions. For a Warriors team with limited draft flexibility and few movable contracts, that matters.

It is why rival teams are already circling dates rather than hypotheticals.

A Role That Never Fully Settled With the Warriors

This situation did not emerge overnight.

Kuminga’s talent has never been in question. His athleticism, downhill scoring, and defensive upside have flashed repeatedly. But his role has never fully stabilized within Steve Kerr’s system, which places a premium on spacing, decision-making, and connective play.

This season, Kuminga has averaged 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, numbers that reflect opportunity as much as inconsistency. He has also logged multiple DNPs while healthy, a reality that has drawn scrutiny externally and frustration internally.

Haynes reported that Kuminga and Kerr have held multiple meetings throughout the season in an effort to find alignment. The takeaway around the league, however, is that those conversations have not produced a long-term solution.

“Kuminga has been very frustrated,” Haynes said. “I was told he’s had numerous meetings with Steve Kerr, and those two just haven’t been on the same page.”

Publicly, the Warriors have downplayed any rift. Privately, the sense is that the fit has reached its ceiling.

Why a Trade Makes Sense for Both Sides

From Golden State’s perspective, the calculus is straightforward.

The Warriors are hovering above .500 and remain competitive, but the roster still lacks a clean secondary scorer or a wing who naturally complements Stephen Curry without disrupting flow. Kuminga’s skill set overlaps awkwardly with that goal, particularly in lineups built around Curry’s off-ball gravity.

There is also the broader roster picture.

Golden State has explored high-end upgrades, including interest in frontcourt anchors and scoring wings. Those pursuits require salary. Kuminga’s contract is not just helpful in that context, it is essential.

For Kuminga, a change of scenery may be just as necessary.

At 23, he needs consistent minutes, defined responsibility, and a team willing to live with mistakes in the name of development. That environment no longer appears to exist in Golden State, where urgency around Curry’s window has reshaped priorities.

What Comes Next

Nothing official has happened yet. But around the league, the expectation is clear.

Once January 15 arrives, Jonathan Kuminga becomes one of the most closely monitored names on the trade market. The Warriors are expected to listen. Rival teams are expected to call. And a situation that has lingered in the background for multiple seasons may finally reach its conclusion.

Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins