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Jonathan Kuminga’s long-running situation with the Golden State Warriors has taken another turn as the 2026 NBA trade deadline draws closer.
Nearly a year after trade speculation first surfaced, the 23-year-old forward remains with the organization, but momentum around a potential deal is once again building.
With just one month remaining before the February 5 deadline, league chatter suggests Kuminga’s market is expanding rather than cooling.
Trade buzz intensifies ahead of deadline
Jonathan Kuminga’s name has been central to Warriors trade discussions over the past year, with Golden State previously exploring multiple pathways to resolve his future.
Despite those opportunities, no deal materialized, and the forward stayed put after signing an extension over the summer.
Now, with his eligibility to be traded officially beginning on January 15, rival teams are revisiting the possibility of acquiring the athletic wing. According to a new report, several franchises have emerged as legitimate suitors.
New teams show interest
NBA insider Kevin O’Connor, reporting for Yahoo Sports, identified three teams that have recently been linked to Kuminga in trade talks.
“League sources told Yahoo Sports at least three other teams have been linked to Kuminga: the Blazers, Pelicans and Wizards,” O’Connor wrote while examining Golden State’s uncertain future as Stephen Curry approaches the final phase of his career.
The emergence of Portland, New Orleans, and Washington represents a shift from earlier discussions and suggests growing league-wide belief that Jonathan Kuminga could be available under the right circumstances.
Why talks previously stalled
During the offseason, Kuminga and Golden State Warriors found themselves in a stalemate, with the forward seeking either a clearer long-term role or a move elsewhere. At that stage, Sacramento, Phoenix, and Chicago were reportedly involved in discussions.
Those talks ultimately fizzled. According to O’Connor’s reporting, Golden State was unimpressed with the return packages offered by the Kings and Suns, while negotiations with the Bulls gradually lost steam. Warriors’ reluctance to settle for underwhelming value has remained a consistent theme.
Golden State Warriors hold leverage—for now
Golden State still controls the timeline. While Kuminga’s contract situation now allows for a trade, Warriors are under no obligation to move him unless a deal aligns with their broader roster vision.
Each of the newly linked teams brings different assets and flexibility, potentially reopening conversations that once appeared dormant.
As the deadline approaches, Jonathan Kuminga’s situation remains unresolved, but the growing list of interested teams suggests this saga may finally be approaching a turning point.
Whether Golden State Warriors act—or once again stand pat—will shape the next chapter of both Kuminga’s career and Golden State’s evolving future.
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