Kuminga & The Warriors: The "Surge" That Short-Circuited
Jan 15, 2026 – The deadline has hit, and so has the reality check. Jonathan Kuminga’s trade request isn't just a notification on a GM's phone; it’s the official obituary for the "Two Timelines" era. Here is why the explosion was inevitable.
So, he finally did it. Jonathan Kuminga, the man who was supposed to carry the torch once Stephen Curry hung up his sneakers, has officially requested a trade. If you’ve been watching the Golden State bench (specifically the end of it) for the last three weeks, you aren't surprised. You're just wondering why it took this long.
We need to talk about "impact." The headline narrative for months has been about Kuminga's surging impact on the Warriors' evolving season. And technically, that’s true. A short circuit is, by definition, a surge. But instead of powering the machine, Kuminga’s season has fried the motherboard.
⚡ The Essentials
- The News: As of Jan 15, 2026, Kuminga (eligible to be traded today) has formally requested out.
- The Stat: 13 consecutive DNPs leading up to the request.
- The Context: The arrival of Jimmy Butler created a "win-now" pressure cooker that left no room for developmental minutes.
The October Mirage
Remember October? It feels like a decade ago. Kuminga started the first 12 games averaging nearly 20 points, shooting 50% from the field. The "Kuminga Hive" was taking victory laps. (I admit, even I bookmarked a few "I told you so" tweets). But look closer at those games. The Warriors were 5-7. The defensive rating with him on the floor? Abysmal.
Steve Kerr saw what the box score watchers didn't: empty calories. Kuminga was getting his numbers, but the system was bleeding out. When the rotation tightened in December, the "future ace" found himself fighting for scraps.
The Data: A Tale of Two Seasons
You want to know why the relationship hit rock bottom? Look at the sheer drop-off. It’s not a slump; it’s a disappearance.
| Metric | First 12 Games (Starter) | Last 13 Games (Bench/DNP) |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes Per Game | 31.5 | 0.0 (DNP Streak) |
| Points Per Game | 18.9 | 0.0 |
| Team Record | 5-7 | 9-4 |
| +/- Net Rating | -4.5 | +6.2 (Team w/o him) |
The numbers are brutal, but they tell the truth. The Warriors started winning when Kuminga sat down. That’s the kind of "impact" that gets you traded, not extended.
The Butler Factor
Let’s address the elephant in the room (or rather, the coffee mogul in the locker room). The acquisition of Jimmy Butler was the final nail in the "Two Timelines" coffin. You don't bring in Jimmy Buckets to mentor 23-year-olds on patience; you bring him in to scream at them until they play defense.
With Butler and Draymond Green holding down the forward spots, Kuminga became a luxury item the Warriors couldn't afford to play. Why? Because Kuminga needs the ball to be effective. Butler needs the ball. Curry is the ball. Do the math.
👀 Who actually trades for him now?
The market is tricky. A $24.3M contract for a guy who hasn't played in a month? The Brooklyn Nets make sense—they have the cap space and the patience to let him run wild. The Detroit Pistons might take a flyer, hoping he's the athletic wing Cunningham needs. But don't expect a star package in return. The Warriors are selling distressed assets here.
The Skeptic's Verdict
Is Kuminga a bust? No. He’s an NBA starter on 20 other teams. But the "impact" we were promised—the idea that he would seamlessly take the baton from Steph—was always a fantasy. We confused athleticism for basketball IQ. We confused potential for production.
Today's trade request isn't a tragedy; it's a correction. The Warriors are admitting that you can't build the future while desperately clinging to the present. Kuminga is going to be great somewhere else (where he can take 20 shots a game and lose by 15). But in the Bay? The surge is over. The power is out.
