NBA Trade Rumors: Golden State Warriors Predicted to Trade $10,097,561 Star Wing Amid Troubling Jonathan Kuminga Contract

The Golden State Warriors are facing mounting pressure to make a decision on Jonathan Kuminga’s future, with trade chatter intensifying as the 2025-26 NBA season approaches.The Golden State Warriors have been in a holding pattern with Jonathan Kuminga throughout the offseason. While there have been sign-and-trade rumors linking him to both the Sacramento Kings and the Chicago Bulls, no deal has materialized for months.This uncertainty has stalled other potential moves, most notably the possible signing of Boston Celtics veteran big man Al Horford. With the offseason creeping toward its end, the lack of progress has left Golden State’s roster in limbo.General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. and team owner Joe Lacob are now under scrutiny for their handling of the Kuminga situation. Lacob’s push to draft Kuminga seventh overall in the 2021 NBA Draft hasn’t paid off as hoped, while Dunleavy may have overplayed his hand by waiting too long to deal the young forward.NBA analyst Jason Timpf of The Volume suggested that Golden State should accept the reality of Jonathan Kuminga’s diminished trade value. “I think using Kuminga to substantially upgrade from Buddy Hield and get a protected first round pick back would be about as good as the Golden State Warriors can do with Kuminga,” Timpf wrote, as reported by Andrew Hughes.Timpf further explained that the window for a substantial return on Jonathan Kuminga has already closed, and the Warriors should focus on leveraging him in a package that clears Buddy Hield’s salary.Buddy Hield, owed $21 million, has been far from consistent. His three-point shooting last season was serviceable, but his inside-the-arc offense was widely seen as unacceptable for a starting guard. While his contract isn’t overly burdensome, moving him could free up valuable flexibility.Despite this, Hield has expressed his desire to stay with the Golden State Warriors. That stance, however, might not align with the team’s long-term outlook.The stalled market has only made Golden State’s situation tougher. Recent weeks have been slow in terms of NBA transactions, with Fred VanVleet’s injury being one of the few notable developments. Interestingly, the Houston Rockets appear closer to striking a deal than the Golden State Warriors, further underlining Golden State’s stagnation.With less than a month until tip-off, the Warriors’ front office has little time left to make a meaningful move. The pressure to resolve Jonathan Kuminga’s future and shed Hield’s contract is mounting, especially with speculation of bigger moves, such as a potential Jimmy Butler blockbuster, still lingering around the league.Also read: NBA Trade News: Brooklyn Nets G-League Affiliate Trade Killian Hayes’ Rights to Cleveland Charge for 2026 Draft PicksBut as Hughes noted, “For what it’s worth, Hield doesn’t want to be moved. It may not be a good thing that the Golden State Warriors are saying the same thing, since that usually precludes a deal in this league.” The Warriors now find themselves at a critical crossroads. Whether they act or continue to wait could determine the trajectory of their upcoming season.