Jonathan Kuminga remains in trade rumors despite suffering a knee injury on Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks. The Golden State Warriors ruled him out for Saturday’s showdown against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but trade speculations continue to swirl around him.
On Friday, NBA insider Marc Stein, via NBA Central, wrote the latest on the ultra-athletic forward:
“League sources tell The Stein Line that one avenue which will certainly be explored is the prospect of Jonathan Kuminga-for-Andrew Wiggins swap with Miami that potentially brings back Wiggins to the Bay Area after he was shipped to South Beach last year for Jimmy Butler.”
On Feb. 7, 2025, the Warriors agreed to a five-team deal that sent Andrew Wiggins to the Miami Heat for Jimmy Butler. Dennis Schroder, Lindy Waters III and a 2025 first-round pick were part of the package the Dubs shipped to South Beach for the then disgruntled Heat star.
Andrew Wiggins is looking at a full-circle moment if the Warriors and the Heat end up swapping him for Jonathan Kuminga. Golden State is looking at ways to improve the roster after Butler suffered a season-ending ACL injury on Monday, which happened coincidentally against Miami.
This season, “Wiggs” is averaging 15.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. He is shooting 47.1%, including 39.8% from deep. More importantly, he has proven to be an excellent fit around Steph Curry.
On the other hand, Warriors coach Steve Kerr has conceded on multiple occasions that Jonathan Kuminga isn’t an ideal fit for the Warriors. Kerr said that having Kuminga, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green on the floor for long stretches was problematic for the Dubs.
With Butler out, Kuminga has flourished. Still, talks about the Warriors looking for a better shooter than the five-year forward continue to make the rounds. Andrew Wiggins has the floor-spacing game, chemistry and experience with the Bay Area team that Kerr covets.
Jonathan Kuminga has “fractured” relationship with Steve Kerr, request for trade hasn’t changed
Two nights after Jimmy Butler’s brutal knee injury, Steve Kerr promptly called up Jonathan Kuminga to contribute. The 6-foot-8 forward contributed 21 points, five rebounds and two assists in the Warriors’ 145-127 loss to the Toronto Raptors.
Kuminga’s solid performance, which was followed by another outstanding effort on Thursday before a knee injury cut his stint short, the forward wants out.
NBA insider Chris Haynes explained the situation Thursday on NBA Prime:
“Sources have told me that Kuminga has no desire to remain a member of the Golden State Warriors. He is very much hoping that he will be dealt by the deadline.”
Haynes added:
“I’m told his relationship with head coach Steve Kerr is fractured beyond repair. He’s felt that he hasn’t had any organizational support throughout this process, and so he’s felt devalued within the organization.”
About a week ago, Steve Kerr told reporters that he has a good relationship with Jonathan Kuminga. Kerr spent a few minutes talking to the young forward after Kuminga played for the first time in over a month on Tuesday.
With the Feb. 5 trade deadline on the horizon, it will be interesting to see how Kuminga’s situation in the Bay Area pans out.
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