The Golden State Warriors are expected to shop forward Jonathan Kuminga once he becomes trade-eligible on Jan. 15, according to veteran NBA insider Marc Stein. Stein reported that multiple teams anticipate Golden State will explore Kuminga’s value ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline, despite teammates particularly Jimmy Butler publicly showing support for the 23-year-old. “Anticipation grows in various corners of the league that Kuminga will be dealt before the Feb. 5 deadline,” Stein wrote in The Stein Line, adding that league observers view the move as “inevitable.” Warriors Re-Signed Kuminga to a ‘Tradeable Contract’ Kuminga spent most of the summer locked in a tense restricted free agency battle before agreeing to a two-year, $48. 5 million contract in October. The deal includes a team option, a detail Golden State reportedly insisted on to maintain flexibility. “The Warriors’ hardball stance all summer. was adopted with the intention to ensure that the 23-year-old was re-signed to a tradeable contract,” Stein reported. Multiple executives now view Kuminga as one of the league’s most attractive mid-tier assets. “It’s one of the best trade chips in the league,” one veteran front office executive told Stein. Lingering Knee Injury and Mounting Frustration Kuminga is set to miss his fifth straight game Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers due to bilateral knee tendinitis. The Warriors are taking a cautious approach, but the timing has fueled further tension around his role and future. According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Kuminga “feels like the scapegoat again” amid the team’s recent slump and rotation changes. After a 4-1 start, Golden State fell into a 2-5 tailspin, and head coach Steve Kerr moved Kuminga back to the bench. “Kuminga’s turnovers spiked and performance dipped. Kerr demoted Kuminga back to a bench role, reopening old wounds,” Slater wrote. Through nine games, Kuminga averaged 13. 8 points, 6. 6 rebounds and 2. 8 assists, but turnovers increased from 2. 4 to 3. 1 per game during his final seven appearances before the injury. Butler Pushes Back on Kuminga Criticism Golden State won three straight immediately after Kuminga exited the lineup, intensifying league speculation. Butler rejected the idea that the Warriors improved without him. “Him not being in the lineup ain’t the reason that we’re winning,” Butler said. “That ain’t got nothing to do with him.” Butler emphasized that the Warriors’ defense, clearer roles and sharper execution were more impactful than Kuminga’s absence. Internally, the team views his potential sixth-man role as a way to feature him offensively and showcase him to suitors. Kuminga Could Be Featured to Increase Trade Value Kerr’s new rotation now features Moses Moody and rookie Will Richard alongside Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Butler. Once healthy, Kuminga is expected to return as a primary scoring option off the bench, giving him more touches and Golden State more leverage. As his trade restriction lifts on Jan. 15, the Warriors will have roughly three weeks to survey the market. With a team-friendly contract, enticing athletic upside and two-way flashes, Kuminga will likely be one of the most pursued players available. Whether Golden State keeps him or cashes him in, one thing appears certain: Kuminga’s future may not be in San Francisco much longer.
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