Jonathan Kuminga is expected to be traded by the Warriors for Veteran Wing.

Jonathan Kuminga is Expected to Be Traded by the Warriors for Veteran Wing

The Golden State Warriors have experienced an era of unprecedented success over the past decade, thanks in no small part to their championship core featuring Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. However, as the league evolves, so too do the needs of even the most successful franchises. In the 2024-2025 season, it seems that the Warriors may be entering a new phase of their roster construction—one that involves balancing youth and experience. At the center of this shift is Jonathan Kuminga, the dynamic young forward who was drafted by the Warriors in the 2021 NBA Draft with high expectations. Kuminga’s potential as a future star has never been in doubt, but there are growing reports that he may be traded in the near future for a veteran wing player who can contribute immediately to the Warriors’ title aspirations.

In this article, we will explore the situation surrounding Kuminga, the potential reasons why the Warriors are looking to trade him, and the broader implications for the team’s future. We will also analyze the possible veteran wings that could be brought in and how they might fit into Golden State’s system. Ultimately, we’ll evaluate what this trade could mean for both the team’s short-term and long-term goals.

Jonathan Kuminga: The Potential and the Promise

Jonathan Kuminga entered the NBA with a great deal of hype, mainly due to his rare combination of size, athleticism, and potential. Standing at 6’7” and boasting a 7-foot wingspan, Kuminga was considered one of the most physically gifted players in the 2021 draft class. His ability to attack the basket, defend multiple positions, and his athleticism made him a tantalizing prospect for the Warriors, who were looking for a player who could complement their established stars while also contributing in the long run.

During his rookie season, Kuminga showed flashes of brilliance, but he also faced the typical growing pains that come with adjusting to the NBA level. His scoring ability was evident, especially in transition, but his consistency and understanding of the Warriors’ complex offensive and defensive systems were works in progress. Under the guidance of head coach Steve Kerr, Kuminga was expected to develop into a versatile player capable of contributing on both ends of the floor.

In his second season, Kuminga’s progress was evident. His minutes increased, and he began to show a more refined game, with improvements in his shooting, ball-handling, and defensive awareness. Despite these improvements, however, Kuminga’s role with the Warriors was often unclear. The team’s championship aspirations meant that the Warriors were focused on winning now, and as a result, they needed players who could make an immediate impact. This led to Kuminga being in and out of the rotation, with his inconsistent playing time causing frustration both for the young player and the coaching staff. Nonetheless, his raw potential kept him in the Warriors’ long-term plans.

However, as Kuminga enters his third season in the league, it appears that the Warriors may be rethinking their strategy regarding the young forward. Trade rumors have begun to swirl, with the possibility of Kuminga being moved for a veteran wing player who can help the Warriors immediately, particularly as they look to make another championship run.

The Warriors’ Roster Construction: A Shifting Focus

The Warriors’ current roster construction is an interesting balance between established veterans and younger, unproven talent. With the core trio of Curry, Thompson, and Green still in place, the team remains in win-now mode. But the Warriors also recognize that the future is just as important as the present. As the salaries of their stars continue to rise and their contracts near their conclusions, the Warriors are going to have to make some difficult decisions about their future direction.

Golden State’s depth has been a key part of their success, and in recent years, the team has focused on developing younger players alongside their championship veterans. Players like Moses Moody, James Wiseman (before his trade), and Kuminga were all drafted with an eye toward the future, but the Warriors have struggled to balance their development with the pressure to contend for championships immediately.

The emergence of young players like Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney, and Jordan Poole provided additional depth, but the Warriors’ roster has begun to show signs of age. While Curry, Thompson, and Green are all still highly effective players, they are no longer in their primes. For the Warriors to continue their championship aspirations, they need to make the most of their remaining window of title contention.

This brings us to the question of Jonathan Kuminga. While Kuminga’s potential is exciting, he is still developing and, at this stage, is not yet a fully polished contributor. In a league that increasingly values win-now players, the Warriors might find it difficult to justify keeping Kuminga as they look to bolster their roster with a veteran who can provide immediate impact.

Why Trade Jonathan Kuminga?

There are several reasons why the Warriors may decide to trade Jonathan Kuminga, despite his undeniable talent. The first and most obvious reason is the Warriors’ current championship window. With the core trio of Curry, Thompson, and Green aging, Golden State needs to capitalize on its remaining title opportunities. As good as Kuminga could become, he is not yet at the level where he can be a difference-maker in the postseason. The Warriors need players who can contribute at a high level now, not just in the distant future.

Secondly, Kuminga’s development has been somewhat inconsistent. Despite flashes of brilliance, his offensive game has remained a work in progress. His jump shot has shown improvement, but it is still not at the level needed to be considered a consistent threat. Additionally, his defense, while promising, is still not as refined as it needs to be in order to make him a key contributor in critical playoff situations. With the Warriors’ focus squarely on winning another championship, they might feel that a more experienced player, who is already capable of making an impact in those high-stakes games, is a better fit.

Finally, the Warriors have a logjam at the forward position. With players like Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, and Kevon Looney already filling important roles, Kuminga’s minutes have often been limited. He has shown that he can be an effective player, but with so many mouths to feed in terms of playing time, it might make more sense for the Warriors to trade Kuminga to a team where he can get a larger role and more developmental opportunities.

What Type of Veteran Wing Could the Warriors Target?

Given the Warriors’ focus on winning now, the veteran wing that they would target in a trade involving Kuminga would likely need to provide immediate contributions. The ideal player would be someone who can contribute on both ends of the floor, complement Curry’s offensive system, and provide depth on the wing, an area where the Warriors could use additional help.

A few potential targets come to mind:

1. OG Anunoby (Toronto Raptors): Anunoby is one of the best two-way wings in the NBA. At 6’7”, he has elite defensive skills and the ability to guard multiple positions, something that would be invaluable in the Warriors’ system. Anunoby’s offensive game has also improved, as he has developed into a capable scorer, particularly from beyond the arc. His physicality and defensive prowess would immediately bolster the Warriors’ defense, while his offensive skills would make him a solid fit in their high-paced offense.
2. Matisse Thybulle (Portland Trail Blazers): Thybulle is a lockdown defender, and while his offense remains a work in progress, his defensive capabilities could be a perfect complement to Golden State’s system. Thybulle would provide the Warriors with an elite perimeter defender who can help slow down opposing wings and provide a defensive spark off the bench. If the Warriors could develop his offensive game further, he could become a key contributor on both ends of the floor.
3. Jae Crowder (Milwaukee Bucks): Crowder is an experienced forward who can contribute immediately. His toughness, defensive versatility, and ability to hit threes make him a strong fit for the Warriors. While Crowder’s prime years may be behind him, he would provide the Warriors with the type of grizzled veteran presence that they may need in the postseason. His experience in high-pressure playoff games could be invaluable for a team like Golden State.
4. Kelly Oubre Jr. (Charlotte Hornets): Oubre is a former Warrior and is an athletic wing who can score in bunches. His defensive game has been inconsistent at times, but his ability to create his own shot and contribute offensively could provide a spark for the Warriors’ second unit. Oubre’s familiarity with the Warriors’ system from his previous stint with the team would allow for a smoother transition and could help add depth to the wing position.

What Would Kuminga Bring in Return?

In any potential trade involving Kuminga, the Warriors would likely seek a player who can help them in the short term. While Kuminga’s ceiling is still very high, teams interested in acquiring him would be betting on his future development. Kuminga’s potential as a dynamic two-way player—someone who can guard multiple positions and score at all three levels—makes him an attractive asset for rebuilding teams or teams that want to build for the future.

The Warriors, in turn, would hope to acquire a player who can immediately contribute to their title aspirations. Whether it’s a defender like Anunoby or a scoring wing like Oubre, the goal would be to fill a gap in the roster and give Golden State a better chance of contending for another championship.