Jonathan Kuminga makes NBA's least surprising trade demand

It was clear long before that Kerr didn't trust Kuminga. In a January 2024 loss to the Denver Nuggets, Kerr kept Kuminga on the bench for the fourth quarter as the team blew a massive lead, despite Kuminga having 16 points in 19 minutes. The Athletic reported that Kerr preferred the team take Franz Wagner, who went to the Orlando Magic at No. 8 in 2021, rather than Kuminga. That's why Kuminga finally demanded an exit.

Jonathan Kuminga is trapped on Warriors

While the team seems to have zero interest in playing Kuminga, it has also been hesitant to trade him. Even when the team seemingly needed more NBA-ready help, the Warriors haven't pulled the trigger on any Kuminga trades. They went the opposite direction after winning the title, bringing in rookies Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Ryan Rollins in the draft rather than replacing departing veterans.

Perhaps that was due to Lacob's affection for Kuminga, but the years of sporadic minutes and prolonged benchings have destroyed Kuminga's trade value. Now, the Warriors are hesitant to make a deal because Kuminga's contract represents the last large contract they can use to bring in a high-salaried player. With Kuminga unable to control his destiny — he was a restricted free agent last summer, and the Warriors have a team option of his salary for 2026-27 — all he can do is request a trade that may not ever come.

Golden State doesn't want to take on long-term salary because so many of its players' contracts expire after next season, giving it a chance at a reset, though which players that would be based around is unclear. It seems to be waiting for some team to give it quality talent for a player it clearly doesn't think is good.

Kuminga prefers to go to the Sacramento Kings, though he'd likely go anywhere he was actually wanted. The Kings don't have players the Warriors want. There are three weeks until the trade deadline, and the Warriors should simply end the impasse and get Curry and company some help. Recent history shows they're in no hurry to do so.