Reports suggest that Jonathan Kuminga, a forward for the Golden State Warriors, is seeking a trade. However, the team’s general manager, Mike Dunleavy Jr., has publicly downplayed those claims.
Kuminga’s trade status has been a topic of speculation, especially after he signed a two-year deal as a restricted free agent, which many believe was intended to facilitate a potential trade.
Interestingly, Kuminga has reportedly expressed a desire to be traded, attributed to him being out of the regular playing rotation. When a reporter brought this up, Dunleavy responded, saying, “We are aware of that… When you make a demand, there has to be a demand in the market.”
While Dunleavy acknowledged Kuminga’s apparent wish to move on, he noted that there hasn’t been any formal request from another team. He emphasized the team’s commitment to working with players, stating, “If that’s what he wants, that’s fine to try to figure it out. But we have to do what’s best for the organization.”
With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching on February 5th, Dunleavy faces the challenge of adjusting the roster, particularly after star player Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending ACL injury. This situation could lead to Kuminga being moved to help fill the gap.
Despite the circumstances, Kuminga was able to make an impact upon returning to the team, scoring 20 points in just 21 minutes against the Toronto Raptors, though the Warriors lost 145-127.
As the deadline nears, it’s uncertain whether the Warriors will take on a buying or selling role, but it’s possible Kuminga could see more playing time in Butler’s absence.
Ultimately, it seems Dunleavy isn’t rushing to act on Kuminga’s request just yet.
