Is Kuminga-to-Kings trade more or less likely after major Warriors injury?
The roller-coaster Jonathan Kuminga saga took another turn this week for the Golden State Warriors with Jimmy Butler going down with a season-ending ACL tear.
It could have significant implications for the Sacramento Kings, who have been interested in acquiring Kuminga since his restricted free agency dealings over the summer. Kings general manager Scott Perry met with Kuminga before he signed a two-year, $46.8 million contract to stay with the Warriors, with a team option for the second season on Sept. 30.
Perry never made a formal contract offer to Kuminga because of the team’s salary cap situation, but was open to a sign-and-trade with the Warriors that would have landed Kuminga in Sacramento.
Butler’s injury could mean the Warriors call on Kuminga to play despite not seeing the court since Dec. 18.
“Sure, absolutely,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters after Monday’s win over the Miami Heat when asked if Kuminga could get back into the rotation in light of Butler’s injury.
Kuminga demanded a trade from Golden State on Jan. 15, the first day his new contract became eligible to be dealt. Along with the Kings, ESPN reported Kuminga has garnered interest from the Dallas Mavericks.
Whether Butler’s injury creates an avenue for Kuminga to play and rebuild his value for the Warriors will be notable leading into the Feb. 5 trade deadline. With Kuminga on the bench, his value would seemingly be at a low point, while he might be worth more should he play well in Butler’s absence.
The Warriors entered Tuesday at 25-19, the No. 8 seed in the NBA’s Western Conference with a little less than half the regular season remaining. Kuminga was not in the starting lineup for Golden State’s game Tuesday against the Toronto Raptors.
Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy spoke to reporters Tuesday and indicated it could some time before a Kuminga trade is worked out.
“I think when you in terms of demands when you make a demand, there needs to be a demand on the market. So we’ll see where that unfolds,” Dunleavy said.
“I think we’ll take the next couple weeks to assess this team a little bit more,” he continued. “I felt pretty good with where we’re at heading into last night’s game in terms of what we need to do. I thought our team was playing really well, heading in the right direction, obviously things have changed, so I want to take a couple weeks here to watch these games and see our team and what we can do better.”
Kuminga received his first playing time in a month Tuesday against the Raptors. He scored 20 points in 21 minutes off the bench during the 145-127 loss. He shot 7-of-10 from the floor with five rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Who might Kings trade?
The Kings, meanwhile, have been reluctant to part with future draft capital while they look to reshape their roster with a long-term rebuild. They entered Tuesday night’s game 12-31, the second-worst record in the Western Conference, and appear positioned for a top pick in a talented draft class.
The team has reportedly included guard Malik Monk in trade offers for Kuminga, but the Warriors have not been interested.
ESPN insider Shams Charania on Tuesday floated a trade package that would include DeMar DeRozan, whose $24.8 million salary would be a close match for Kuminga’s. DeRozan has a $10 million guarantee for 2026-27, which could have value for teams looking at him as an expiring contract. However, there’s been no indication the Warriors have interest in the 36-year-old.
Kuminga, 23, for his career is averaging 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists while shooting 50.2% from the floor and 33.1% from 3.
Christie on GM Perry: ‘He’s the boss’
Kings coach Doug Christie said before Tuesday’s home game against the Miami Heat that he’s had regular conversations with Perry about trade scenarios.
“Scott is the ultimate professional. It’s been eye-opening,” Christie said.
“It’s an honor to work with him and to watch him work. We talk. ... But he’s the boss and I’m just sucking up all that energy and all that information and watching how he works. It’s a good thing. We’re in good hands.”
This story was originally published January 20, 2026 at 6:31 PM with the headline "Is Kuminga-to-Kings trade more or less likely after major Warriors injury?."
