Jonathan Cumminga is approaching his final days with the Warriors with a trade on the horizon

The pressure increases by Golden State Warriors. Not only is there pressure to try and possibly make a trade to increase the franchise’s ability to contend for another championship at the end of Stephen Curry’s illustrious career, but a lot pressure also surrounds Jonathan Kuminga’s gaze with Steve Kerr and in front of the office.

It’s been more than a year since it became clear that Kuminga no longer wanted to play for the Warriors, and yet nothing has changed on that front. The former seventh overall pick hasn’t played for Golden State since Dec. 18, and that’s unlikely to change between now and NBA trade deadline on Feb. 5, league sources told ClutchPoints.

Kuminga and his camp believe it’s in his best interest to stay fit behind the scenes and no longer let Kerr’s decisions regarding the young forward’s minutes affect his value in the eyes of other teams interested in him around the league. Not to mention, Kuminga’s team doesn’t want to risk him getting hurt.

Many believe this is the reason Kuminga recently decided not to play despite the Warriors’ lengthy injury report against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 2. Kuminga was ruled out of this game due to a back injury Kerr didn’t seem to have any update or detailsin his comments after the game.

From the Warriors’ perspective, they have worked harder on Cummings’ trade market than the other 29 teams in the league since the offseason. That mindset continued into the first half of the 2025-26 season, and the general consensus within the organization’s walls is that Kuminga has played his last game in a Warriors uniform, sources said.

A trade before February 5th still looks likely, as Kuminga will become eligible for trading on January 15 after signing a two-year, $46.8 million extension as a restricted free agent in September. After being traded, Kuminga has a 15 percent trade kicker worked into his contract that will see the total jump to roughly $48.5 million.

Jonathan Cumminga, The Warriors Part

There appears to be a mutual understanding between Warriors management and Kuminga’s side that a trade will be consummated over the next four weeks leading up to the trade deadline, sources told ClutchPoints.

Despite Cummings’ value apparently dropping and teams believing they can acquire the 23-year-old at a discounted rate compared to previous years, the Warriors have discussed several avenues with teams still registering interest in him.

Among those teams, the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans stand out as franchises that have sustained great interest in Kuminga since the summersources said. The Chicago Bulls have been mentioned frequently in league circles as an organization with some level of interest in Cummings, and Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor recently mentioned that the Portland Trail Blazers connected and on to the Warriors ahead.

Even the Dallas Mavericks were declared a a potential suitor for Kuminga by Sam Amick of The Athletic.

The bottom line is that Kuminga still holds some of the value leading up to the trade deadline. Golden State understands its position with a young, dynamic power forward on a unique contract, and those still interested in Cummings understand that his value isn’t completely dead.

As a result, the Warriors continue to maintain a high level of confidence that they will reach a trade deal that includes Cummings that will bring them at least one talent that can make an immediate impact on their playoff aspirations this season. Then again, that impact will come through secondary production, as the Warriors don’t expect to make another All-Star move like they did last season when they acquired Jimmy Butler.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, long atop the Warriors’ trade list, is not being shopped by the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Dubs have no way to add Anthony Davis without dealing Butler or Draymond Green, an idea the organization has continued to reject for weeks without changing its tone, sources said.

Another aspect of a potential Cummings trade surrounds the Warriors looking for wing and forward depth rather than another backcourt addition. While the team also continues to evaluate the trade landscape for centers, Golden State’s main goal in trade talks involving Cummings is to find a 3-point shooting wing who can help take some pressure off Butler and Green on defense.

Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III are the first two names that come to mind in this player draft, but the Pelicans have made it clear to teams around the league that both young talents will come at a high asking price, starting with at least two unprotected first-round picks, league sources said. There is a the growing belief that Jones and Murphy will remain in New Orleans this season.

All options remain on the table for the Warriors as they continue to be aggressive in trade talks leading up to Cummings’ eligibility deadline in just over a week.

That includes packaging his contract with Moses Moody or Buddy Hield to create salary cap space for players with bigger contracts, with Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. being the type of player the Warriors would make such a decision for, sources said.

Porter is one of many options Golden State has discussed so far, but Brooklyn doesn’t seem to have any interest in Cummings. There is also concern on the part of the Warriors about the asking price for Porter. The Nets don’t seem willing to simply accept the best offer for a potential first All-Star game in the next four weeks. Golden State reports internal interest in Porter they first came to light with the Stein Line.

Whether the Warriors can deal one of the Pelicans’ young wings, Porter, or someone else, it’s become abundantly clear that both Cummings and the organization are willing to part ways this trade season. Golden State is focused on increasing its chances of competing at the top of the league right now, and the front office believes that this team, with the addition of new energy and scoring on the wing, can achieve that.

The Warriors are determined to make a move, and Kuminga is ready for a fresh start.