The Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga went their separate ways after four and a half seasons together in the Bay Area. The split came after a long offseason standoff and a disappointing 20-game stretch during the 2025–26 season for the 23-year-old forward.
Anthony Slater Points to Possible Warriors Regret After Jonathan Kuminga’s Exit
But now with the Atlanta Hawks, where he moved after the Feb. 2026 trade deadline deal involving center Kristaps Porziņģis, Kuminga has stunned with his newfound momentum. In three games for the Hawks, Kuminga has posted an impressive 21.3 points average, playing a key role in his team’s 3-0 run in that stretch.
Kuminga’s refreshed look with the Hawks has sparked discussion across the NBA world, including whether the Warriors might be having second thoughts about letting him go.
NBA insider Anthony Slater recently discussed the situation during an appearance on The Ryen Russillo Show. When asked if anyone within the Warriors organization might now be questioning the decision, Slater suggested that the optics around Kuminga’s strong start have not looked great for the Warriors.
“I would point at the direct top of the organization, right, at this point and go somebody who’s like, you know, kind of always believe, right?
Joe Lacob, certainly. But, you know, it was not good optics when Dominique Wilkins, a well-respected Hall of Famer, is like screaming into the microphone the other night as…you know, Kaminga’s windmill dunking. Thank you, Warriors.”
The contrast has been especially noticeable because the player the Warriors received in the deal, that is Porziņģis, has barely seen the floor. He has only played one game for the Warriors so far.
“You know, I mean, that’s, it’s not a good look,” Slater continued. “Particularly as you mentioned, when the guy they got it for has played 17 minutes since he’s been acquired.”
According to Slater, the root of the issue between Kuminga and the Warriors was a disconnect between the organization and the coaching staff. Kuminga reportedly wanted a consistent role and the trust to play through mistakes.
“By year three, four, five, Kaminga was just sitting there saying like either platform me, give me 30 minutes at night. It doesn’t have to be 25 type shots, but it has to be a level of nightly trust where he knows he can make mistakes and won’t get yanked around the rotation,” Slater added.
“Or if you don’t believe in me that way, if the coach doesn’t believe in me, Trey, you know, get me out of here.
“That’s where the disconnect was, where management wouldn’t part with him because of the tantalizing talent, but the head coach, which they wouldn’t part with, understandably, just could never believe in him the way Kamega wanted and in sports.”
“When you know your coach does not believe in you the way you do, the way Kaminga clearly does, it’s just going to inevitably lead to these issues that boiled and boiled and boiled to the point that what happened happened,” the NBA insider concluded.
Kuninga is now proving his value in Atlanta. Besides his impressive scoring during his first three games with the Hawks, the 2022 NBA champion has averaged 7.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.7 steals while shooting 67.7% from the field, 55.6% from three-point range, and 77.3% from the free-throw line.
However, his hot start hit a small pause this week. Kuminga was listed as questionable ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks due to left knee inflammation. Even without him, the Hawks defeated the Bucks 131-113 to extend their winning streak to five games.
Atlanta will next face the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, March 7. It remains to be seen whether Kuminga will return to the lineup as the Hawks continue their strong run.
