Jonathan Kuminga Breaks Silence After DNPs, Trade Rumors, and Shrinking Role: “I’m Ready to Move On for Good”

The tension had been brewing beneath the surface all season.

It showed in the box scores—DNPs in games the Golden State Warriors absolutely needed to win. It echoed in his body language as the season wore on, as his role diminished following the arrival of Jimmy Butler. And it roared louder every time someone asked Jonathan Kuminga to “just stay ready.”

Now, the whispers have turned into statements. According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, the 22-year-old forward is officially seeking a way out of the Bay Area. His camp is reportedly targeting a deal in the ballpark of $30 million per year—an amount that screams not just talent, but trust. Kuminga wants the ball, the minutes, and the faith of a franchise that sees him as more than a backup plan. He wants to lead.

But in Golden State, that opportunity never came—not fully. And now, as the Warriors navigate what may be the end of an era, Kuminga’s future is front and center.

The signs were all there. Despite posting career-best numbers in 2025—including two 34-point explosions in back-to-back games—Kuminga’s usage fluctuated wildly. There were moments when he looked like a future All-Star: explosive, instinctive, unguardable in transition. His playoff run after Stephen Curry’s injury was a revelation. He didn’t just rise to the occasion—he demanded attention. It was the kind of stretch that most young players dream about when they get stuck behind veterans. For Kuminga, it proved his value.

But for the Warriors, it didn’t change much.

Steve Kerr remained loyal to his veteran core. With Butler, Klay Thompson (until his departure), Draymond Green, and Curry (when healthy), Kerr leaned into experience. Kuminga? He sat. He watched. And when he played, the leash was short.

Publicly, Kuminga kept it professional. He echoed the team’s “next man up” mantra. He gave credit to Kerr, praised his teammates, and talked about patience. But behind closed doors, frustration mounted. League sources indicate that as the season wore on, Kuminga’s camp grew more vocal about the inconsistency in his role. They believed he had earned more—and that his ceiling was being artificially capped by a team that couldn’t let go of its past.

Now, it seems, that chapter is reaching its natural end.

Golden State did extend a qualifying offer to Kuminga, making him a restricted free agent. But that gesture was more about preserving leverage than offering commitment. The Warriors want value in return—either through a sign-and-trade or by letting the market dictate terms they might match. Yet that strategy has hit a wall. Sources say multiple teams expressed interest, including the Utah Jazz, Orlando Magic, and Charlotte Hornets, but balked at Golden State’s high asking price.

So where does this leave the Kuminga saga?

In limbo—for now.

But that won’t last forever. The NBA calendar has a way of forcing decisions. With training camps approaching and the Warriors desperate to avoid more locker room tension, a move feels inevitable. The only question is whether Golden State relents on its trade demands or risks bringing back a discontented player with rising value and shrinking patience.

Kuminga, for his part, isn’t hiding anymore.

People close to him say this is about more than money. Yes, the $30 million figure reflects a belief in his talent. But the real desire is for freedom. Kuminga wants a team that will build with him, not around others. He wants to be a foundational piece, not a fallback option. And he wants to play, consistently, without having to explain why he deserves to.

His frustration is also rooted in perception. Since entering the league as the No. 7 overall pick in 2021, Kuminga has lived in the long shadow of the Warriors dynasty. He was hailed as a “bridge to the future,” but that bridge always seemed to lead back to the past. Even as veterans aged and the team showed signs of regression, the pivot never came. It was always “not yet.” Wait your turn. Be patient.

Now, Kuminga is done waiting.

The numbers support his case. In just 26 minutes per game last season, he averaged 16.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting 52% from the field. He ranked among the top forwards in transition efficiency and posted a career-high in player efficiency rating. His defense, long considered a work in progress, showed strides, particularly in off-ball awareness and switches.

Yet none of it translated into stability.

The addition of Butler was particularly jarring. While no one disputes Butler’s pedigree, it sent a clear message to Kuminga: we’re not ready to hand you the keys. That, more than anything, seemed to sour the relationship. Multiple insiders noted that Kuminga’s minutes dropped noticeably after the trade—even during stretches when he was playing well.

Now, as he pushes for a new opportunity, the basketball world is watching closely.

There’s risk involved for both sides.

For the Warriors, moving on from a 22-year-old former lottery pick with rising stock could come back to haunt them—especially if he blossoms into a star elsewhere. For Kuminga, leaving Golden State means leaving behind the system, the mentors, and the championship DNA that shaped him. It’s not nothing.

But sometimes, both parties need a reset.

The Warriors are at a crossroads. With Curry aging, Thompson gone, and Draymond still fighting his own battles on and off the court, the team’s identity is shifting. Butler adds a layer of toughness, but it’s not a long-term solution. The Warriors need youth, athleticism, and upside. They need someone like Kuminga—just not in their current framework.

Kuminga, meanwhile, is betting on himself. And if you talk to scouts, he’s not wrong to do so. His blend of power, speed, and scoring touch is rare. He’s raw in places, yes, but the trajectory is clear. In the right system, with the right coach, he could be special.

So what happens next?

If trade talks reignite, expect Eastern Conference teams to circle first. The Hornets and Magic make sense as landing spots—teams with young cores, cap flexibility, and a need for a dynamic wing. The Jazz, with their surplus of draft capital, could also revisit discussions if the Warriors lower their price.

And if nothing happens?

Kuminga may return to Golden State under protest—a move that could destabilize an already fragile locker room. It’s the worst-case scenario for both sides. But it’s not out of the question.

This is what happens when potential clashes with legacy. The Warriors want to win now, with proven veterans. Kuminga wants to win eventually, but with room to grow and breathe. Those timelines no longer align.

There was a time when Jonathan Kuminga represented the future of the franchise. Now, he’s a reminder of everything the Warriors haven’t figured out yet.

His days in Golden State may be numbered. And if they are, one day the Warriors might look back and realize—they had something special. But they just couldn’t let go of the past long enough to see it.