Countdown: 9 days! Kuminga’s team change is inevitable as Warriors aim to strengthen their frontcourt rather than acquire another guard.

On January 7th Beijing time, the Warriors are under mounting pressure. This tension arises both from their goal to contend for a championship—they must strengthen the squad through trades to chase another title before Curry’s career ends—and from the intensifying deadlock involving Kuminga, head coach Kerr, and the front office. With just 9 days left until January 16th, when Kuminga becomes eligible for trade, the clock is ticking.

According to Clutchpoints, league insiders revealed that Kuminga expressed his desire to leave over a year ago, and to this day, the situation remains unchanged.The former seventh overall pick has not played for the Warriors since December 19th, and it is unlikely this will change before the NBA trade deadline on February 5th.

Kuminga and his team believe the smartest move now is to stay in game shape off the court, avoiding letting Kerr’s decisions on his playing time affect how other interested teams in the league value him. Moreover,Kuminga’s camp also does not want him to risk injury. Many believe this was the reason he refused to play in the January 3rd game against the Thunder.

At that time, the Warriors’ injury report was already alarming. Ultimately, Kuminga missed the game citing a back injury, but Kerr’s postgame comments were vague, offering no specific updates or details about the injury.

From the Warriors’ perspective, since the offseason began, the management has been actively gauging the trade interest from the other 29 teams around the league. This strategy has continued into the first half of the 2025-26 season,Sources say there is now near consensus within the organization that Kuminga has played his final game in a Warriors uniform.

The likelihood of a trade involving Kuminga being completed before the February 6th deadline is rising. Last September, Kuminga signed a two-year, $46.8 million restricted free agent extension with the Warriors, and he will be trade-eligible after January 16th. Notably, his contract includes a 15% trade bonus clause, which would increase the total contract value to about $48.5 million if a trade occurs.

Kuminga and the Warriors: parting ways is now certain.

Insiders indicate that the Warriors’ management and Kuminga’s representatives seem to have reached an understanding: over the next four weeks, leading up to the trade deadline, both sides will work together to facilitate a trade.

Although Kuminga’s trade value has clearly diminished, and teams believe they can acquire the 23-year-old with less than previous offers, the Warriors are still exploring multiple trade possibilities with several interested clubs.

Among potential suitors, the Kings and Pelicans stand out, having shown strong interest in Kuminga since last summer. The league has also heard frequent rumors about the Bulls’ interest, and recently Yahoo Sports reporter Kevin O’Connor reported that the Trail Blazers are also linked to trade talks involving the Warriors forward.

Even the Mavericks have been listed by reporter Sam Amick as potential pursuers of Kuminga.

Ultimately, before the trade deadline arrives, Kuminga still holds considerable trade value. The Warriors know they have a highly talented young forward with a very cost-effective contract; interested teams understand his value has not bottomed out.

Therefore,the Warriors remain confident they can secure at least one player through a Kuminga trade who will immediately boost the team’s playoff competitiveness this season.However, it should be clear that this trade is intended more as a supplementary upgrade—the Warriors do not plan to replicate last season’s move of acquiring Jimmy Butler by chasing another All-Star caliber player.

Sources reveal that Giannis, who has long topped the Warriors’ wishlist, is currently not available on the Milwaukee Bucks’ trade market; and to acquire Anthony Davis, the Warriors would need to trade Butler or Green as assets, a plan firmly opposed by management with no sign of softening over recent weeks.

In the trade talks regarding Kuminga, the Warriors have a clear demand: they prefer to strengthen their frontcourt depth rather than bring in another backcourt player.While the team continues to evaluate the center position market, the core goal in trading Kuminga is to acquire a wing player with three-point shooting ability to help relieve defensive pressure on Butler and Green.

Among players fitting this profile, Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III are the first two names mentioned. However, league sources say,the Pelicans have made it clear to the entire league that acquiring either of these young stars will come at a steep price, starting with two unprotected first-round draft picks.Now, more people believe Jones and Murphy are likely to remain in New Orleans for this season.

With just over a week left until Kuminga becomes trade-eligible, the Warriors maintain a firm stance in trade negotiations, keeping all options open.

Sources say,the Warriors are even considering packaging Kuminga’s contract with Moody’s or Hield’s contracts to create salary cap space to pursue players with large contracts—Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. is a potential target for whom the Warriors are willing to initiate such a plan..

Porter is one of several acquisition candidates the Warriors have discussed, but the Nets currently show no interest in Kuminga. Additionally, the Warriors have concerns about the cost required to acquire Porter. Over the next four weeks, the Nets seem unwilling to accept a best offer hastily just for this player who might make his first All-Star appearance this season.

Whether the Warriors ultimately succeed in acquiring the Pelicans’ young wing, Michael Porter Jr., or another desired player, one thing is undeniable: both Kuminga and the team are prepared to part ways during this trade window. The Warriors’ current primary goal is to enhance their competitiveness among the league’s elite, and management firmly believes that injecting new energy and scoring ability into the frontcourt will enable the team to achieve that.

The Warriors are determined to make moves in the trade market, and Kuminga is ready to embrace a fresh start.