Jonathan Kuminga, Sam Merrill, others now officially trade-eligible

The Warriors-Jonathan Kuminga situation is about to reach its first real inflection point.

Nearly three months after signing a two-year, $46.5 million contract, Kuminga becomes trade-eligible Thursday, a development ESPN’s Bobby Marks flagged as a key moment for a saga that’s been quietly building all season.

Kuminga opened the year as a starter, beginning the first 12 games in the lineup. Since then, the minutes have evaporated.

His box scores have been littered with DNPs, and he hasn’t played more than 10 minutes in a game since Dec. 18 against the Clippers.

For a player once viewed as a core piece of Golden State’s future, that’s a loud silence.

Contract mechanics matter here. Kuminga waived his one-year Bird rights when he signed, meaning the Warriors can trade him without his consent.

He’s making $22.5 million this season, with a $24.3 million team option for 2026-27. Golden State can include up to four first-round picks in any deal, but because it sits over the first apron, it cannot take back more salary than it sends out.

In other words, flexibility exists. Just not infinite flexibility.

Kuminga isn’t the only name coming off the trade-eligibility list this week. Also becoming eligible Thursday, per Marks:

• Sam Merrill
• Davion Mitchell
• Paul Reed
• Ryan Rollins
• Isaiah Jackson
• Tre Mann
• Naz Reid
• Quentin Grimes
• Santi Aldama
• Josh Giddey

But Kuminga is the headliner.

Whether this leads to action or just more waiting is the next question. What’s clear is that the Warriors now have options. And once options exist, patience tends to run thin.