Golden State Warriors’ forward Jonathan Kuminga was hoping to cash in after he saw an expanded role down the stretch and in the playoffs last season.
Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 24.3 minutes per game while shooting 45.4% from the field and 30.5% from beyond the arc over the 2024-2025 season. He appeared in eight playoff games for the Warriors, putting up 15.3 points per game and increasing his field goal percentage to 48.4%, including 40.0% from beyond the arc.
Teams were very intrigued by Kuminga, who entered the summer as a restricted free agent, but the Warriors were unwilling to move him. The two sides eventually agreed to a two-year deal worth $48.5 million, but that hasn’t stopped the rumors that Kuminga may still be on the move.
What Would It Take For the Warriors to trade Jonathan Kuminga?
Obviously, with an aging Stephen Curry still playing at a high level and veteran Jimmy Butler entering his first full season with the Warriors after being acquired prior to the trade deadline, the Warriors would love to add another win-now type of piece. However, for them to actually trade Kuminga, it appears they will have to be blown away.
There are not a lot of players the Warriors would trade Jonathan Kuminga for, per @sam_amick
“There’s the one obvious name, the big guy in Milwaukee (Giannis)… From there, the name that continues to circulate is that of New Orleans Pelicans small forward Trey Murphy III.” pic.twitter.com/TulaFZ3lWO
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) October 22, 2025
“There’s the one obvious name, the big guy in Milwaukee (Giannis),” Sam Amick of The Athletic reports. “From there, the name that continues to circulate is that of New Orleans Pelicans small forward Trey Murphy III.”
Obviously, the Bucks aren’t dealing Giannis Antetokounmpo in a deal revolving around Kuminga, but a player like Murphy does seem a little more attainable. Murphy averaged 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game in 53 games for the New Orleans Pelicans last season. He shot 45.4% from the field, 36.1% from three, and 88.7% from the free-throw line.
Murphy is still just 25 and is starting the first year of a four-year,$112 million deal this year (meaning he won’t become a free agent until 2029), so it would likely take much more than Kuminga to acquire Murphy.
Stephen Curry, Warriors Impressed With Kuminga’s Opening Night
The Warriors opened the season with a 119-109 victory over the LeBron James-less Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday night. Although the Warriors were led by Butler’s 31 points and had to withstand Luka Dončić’s 43-point, 12-rebound, nine-assist performance, Kuminga was also impressive.
Kuminga played 33 minutes and put up 17 points on six-of-11 shooting to go with nine rebounds and six assists.
After the game, his teammates expressed excitement for Kuminga’s performance. “That’s what he deserves, and I’m excited for him,” Curry said.
If Kuminga continues to have all-around games like he did Tuesday, the Warriors will be pretty pleased they didn’t let him get away this summer.
