Warriors Trade Rumors on Jonathan Kuminga and How Al Horford Impacts Deadline Strategy

Whether the Golden State Warriors target a center ahead of the trade deadline could potentially depend on how Al Horford performs over the next month, according to ESPN's Anthony Slater.

Horford, who has missed time due to multiple injuries during his first season in the Bay Area, has averaged 9.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in his last five appearances with the Warriors.

Slater reported Tuesday that "if the surge continues, [the Warriors] could feel less inclined to enter the center market."

He added, however, that "league sources said they have sniffed around."

ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel has previously reported that Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton was considered a "potential target" for the Warriors by other teams. Claxton, who is signed through 2028, is playing this season under a $25.3 million cap hit, per Spotrac.

The Warriors have also held "exploratory conversations with several teams" about the possibility of trading Jonathan Kuminga, according to Slater.

Kuminga, 23, has averaged 11.8 points and 6.2 rebounds while appearing in 18 games so far this season.

Golden State has been limited in Kuminga trade talks by the team's "unwillingness to take on contracts that extend beyond this season if they view them as negative value deals," according to Slater.

NBA insider Chris Haynes previously reported that rival teams expected Kuminga to be traded at the deadline, in part because he said Kuminga "has been very frustrated" with falling out of Steve Kerr's rotation.

Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor recently described the Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans and Washington Wizards as teams linked to an interest in Kuminga.

Siegel noted in November the Nets don't appear to have "any interest in Kuminga."

Kuminga is currently playing under a $22.5 million cap hit this season, per Spotrac, but he could become an unrestricted free agent in 2026 if whatever team he is playing for declines his $24.3 million club option.

The 23-year-old will become trade eligible on Jan. 15. Should a team like the Blazers, Pelicans or Wizards decide to target him then, it sounds like they might need to offer the Warriors an expiring contract in return.

The Warriors are heading into Tuesday with a 19-18 record that has them sitting at No. 8 in the Western Conference. Golden State could decide to make roster changes ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline in order to boost the chances of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green going on a playoff run this spring.