The Golden State Warriors are reportedly set to trade forward Jonathan Kuminga before the February 5 deadline, according to league sources. Kuminga, who signed a two-year, $46.8 million contract, cannot be dealt until January 15 due to the agreement's terms. Analysts suggest this move could help the Warriors acquire win-now talent amid their 9-9 start to the 2025-26 season.
The Golden State Warriors have started the 2025-26 NBA season with mixed results, sitting at 9-9 and holding the Western Conference's No. 8 seed. After acquiring Jimmy Butler at last year's trade deadline, the team improved defensively and finished the previous regular season 23-7. They advanced past the Houston Rockets in the playoffs' first round but were eliminated in the second by the Minnesota Timberwolves due to injuries to Stephen Curry and Butler.
Over the summer, Golden State re-signed guard De'Anthony Melton and added veteran big man Al Horford. Rookie shooting guard Will Richard, selected No. 56 from Florida, has earned rotation minutes. However, the team's early 4-1 start gave way to a 2-5 slump, partly due to Curry's inconsistent availability.
At the center of trade discussions is power forward Jonathan Kuminga, a 23-year-old, 6-foot-8 player sidelined by a knee injury. In 13 games (12 starts) this season, he has averaged 13.8 points on .478/.324/.771 shooting splits, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. Kuminga recently signed a two-year, $46.8 million deal with a $24.3 million team option for next season, making him a valuable trade chip. An NBA executive told Marc Stein of The Stein Line, "It’s one of the best trade chips in the league."
Stein reports that various league sources view a Kuminga trade as "inevitable" before the February 5 deadline, though he remains ineligible until January 15. NESN's Collin Keane proposed a specific deal: trading Kuminga, who carries a $22.5 million cap hit and is seen as essentially expiring, to the Boston Celtics for forward Sam Hauser. Keane noted Kuminga's elite athleticism and two-way potential could fit Boston, pairing with Jaylen Brown on defense. For the Warriors, Hauser's 41.3% career three-point shooting aligns with their emphasis on long-range shooting, especially as Kuminga has shot 33.2% from three for his career.
This potential move aims to bolster Golden State's roster in the Stephen Curry window, seeking players to contend now and over the next few years.