Jonathan Kuminga's Warriors Future, Trade Rumors Discussed by NBA Fans After Jimmy Butler's Injury

Jonathan Kuminga may have been forced back into the Golden State Warriors' plans after Jimmy Butler's season came to an end due to a knee injury suffered in Monday's win over the Miami Heat.

Butler reportedly tore his ACL in the third quarter when his knee buckled while catching a pass from Brandin Podziemski.

Jimmy Goes Down

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Kuminga has been at the center of a lot of Warriors' discussion in recent weeks. He hasn't appeared in a game since Dec. 18 and reportedly "demanded" a trade on Jan. 15, the day he became eligible to be moved. According to The Athletic's Sam Amick, the Sacramento Kings remain the only "legitimate" suitor for Kuminga with just over two weeks until the deadline.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told reporters after the game that Kuminga "absolutely" could become a factor for them with Butler out.

In the aftermath of Butler's injury, fans began debating Kuminga's future and trade value as the Warriors plan their next steps leading up to the Feb. 5 trade deadline.

It's probably worth noting that even after Butler went down and despite Kerr's comments that Kuminga could become a factor for the Warriors, the 23-year-old didn't enter the game against the Heat.

The game did eventually turn into a blowout win for Golden State, but it was a 77-75 score in favor of the Warriors when Butler suffered the injury. Kuminga was the only one of their 14 active players who didn't get in the game.

It can be argued that Kuminga might make up for some of the offensive production the Warriors will lose without Butler, but Kerr has not shown any indication that he trusts him to play within the system he wants to run.

Desperate times might lead to some desperate measures for everyone with the Warriors, but Kuminga not being able to get in a game that saw LJ Cryer and Malevy Leons play for the first time all season doesn't bode well for a thawing of the relationship between the mercurial player and head coach.