'Waste of Time,' Jonathan Kuminga Trade Rumors Discussed by Warriors Insider Amid Reported Demand

The situation involving the uncertain future of Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga isn't viewed as productive within the NBA, according to ESPN's Anthony Slater.

"I had one source basically describe the current situation as a 'complete waste of everybody's time,'" Slater reported Thursday on NBA Today. "And I think the term 'everybody' matters there because obviously you have a player that has these ambitious career desires and at this point, feels a little held hostage by the organization."

Kuminga demanded to be traded from the Warriors earlier on Thursday, per Slater and ESPN's Shams Charania.

Slater and Charania also noted that "essentially every major figure" on the ground level of the Warriors' operation, including Kuminga and head coach Steve Kerr, agree that a trade is needed.

The 23-year-old was involved in a contract dispute with Golden State as a restricted free agent throughout the offseason, but eventually agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth $46.8 million.

At the time the contract was signed, Charania reported that the second year was designed to be "ripped up" during the ensuing offseason.

Kuminga started for the Warriors during their first 12 games of the 2025-26 season, but steadily fell out of Kerr's rotation. He hasn't suited up in a contest since Dec. 18.

It's been a tumultuous year for Kuminga, who showed promise after Golden State selected him with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft.

He averaged 15.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 25.6 minutes per game from 2023-25, shooting 49.9 percent from the field and 31.3 percent from behind the arc.

This season, he's recording 11.8 points per game on 43.1/32.0/74.1 shooting splits.

A change of scenery could benefit both sides, as the Warriors only sit at No. 8 in the Western Conference standings with a 22-19 record. They've struggled with inconsistency, as they haven't been able to string together more than three wins in a row.

The 2026 trade deadline is on Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. ET.