The Warriors can finally move on from Jonathan Kuminga

The Golden State Warriors failed to land a deal for Jonathan Kuminga in the offseason. 

Despite it being painfully evident that both parties wanted to move on, the Warriors couldn’t get enough value in return for his services. So, as a restricted free agent, the former lottery pick had no choice but to return to the Bay Area.

Kuminga has been piling up DNPs after starting the first 12 games of the season. And while Steve Kerr has gone back and forth about playing Kuminga, he doesn’t seem to be a part of their plans.

At least he doesn’t have to be there for much longer. As reported by ESPN’s Bobby Marks, he just became eligible to be traded, and it shouldn’t take long before the Warriors find him a new home.

Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga is finally eligible to be traded

“Kuminga waived his one-year Bird rights at the time of the signing, allowing Golden State to trade him without his approval. He has a $22.5 million salary this season and a $24.3 million team option for 2026-27. In any deal -- involving Kuminga or other players -- the Warriors can trade up to four first-round picks but cannot take back more salary because they are over the first apron,” Marks wrote. 

The Sacramento Kings were reportedly the only team truly interested in Kuminga. Then again, other teams, like the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets, could also emerge as intriguing destinations for the young forward.

While he hasn’t necessarily lived up to the expectations or made the most of his opportunities, he’s got the physical tools to be an elite two-way player somewhere else.

He joins Sam Merrill, Davion Mitchell, Paul Reed, Ryan Rollins, Isaiah Jackson, Tre Mann, Naz Reid, Quentin Grimes, Santi Aldama and Josh Giddey as the players who just became eligible to be traded on January 15.

The Warriors desperately need someone who can help Stephen Curry pick up the slack on offense. Even if they can’t find an All-Star-caliber player, moving on from Kuminga might be the best way to add more depth and championship-caliber role players around their star.

Still, his trade value may only get lower by the day, considering that he wants to leave and that the Warriors not only want to get rid of him, but they need to do it.