Will Kuminga stay with the Warriors? Butler’s injury changes everything

Everything seemed already written in the long-running saga between Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors. The only real question appeared to be how much – and by whom – the former 7th overall pick of the 2021 Draft would be paid. Few believed anything could change his future away from the Bay Area.

Then came the ACL injury to Jimmy Butler, an event that may have reopened every scenario – or frozen the market entirely. With Butler sidelined, Kuminga could suddenly become a key piece in Steve Kerr’s tactical puzzle, even if the player himself appears hesitant about that role.

A complicated relationship with Steve Kerr

Steve Kerr has never fully seen in Kuminga the player the Warriors once envisioned. He was supposed to be the bridge between the dynasty of the past and the Warriors of the future. Coming from Team Ignite with a win-now mentality, Kuminga’s elite athletic tools have rarely translated into consistent on-court effectiveness.

Defensively, he has often looked out of sync, while his lack of physical presence on the boards has limited his overall impact. Kerr’s constant corrections have led to stop-and-start minutes, preventing continuity. Even last season – after flashes of offensive brilliance, such as in the Conference Semifinals against the Timberwolves – Kuminga ended up spending long stretches on the bench.

Recently placed on the injury list, it’s unclear whether this is due to a genuine physical issue or a strategic decision agreed upon with the team, as a potential trade loomed ahead of the February 5 trade deadline.

Why Kuminga was expected to leave

The roster structure and Steph Curry’s needs pushed Kuminga into a limited role. From his rookie season, he was already behind Andrew Wiggins, despite Wiggins’ unreliable three-point shot. The swap of Wiggins for Butler didn’t solve the issue either: lineups with three non-shooters would have severely hurt spacing.

Butler effectively occupied the space Kuminga needed, dominating on both ends of the floor. Now, with Butler out, that space could finally open up – regardless of Kuminga’s personal relationship with Kerr.

Why he might stay

Despite the strained relationship, keeping Kuminga suddenly makes sense. Without Butler, his role becomes crucial, and the Warriors could finally attempt to maximize his value. Letting him go now would also mean admitting a significant front-office miscalculation: Kuminga, Moses Moody, and James Wiseman were meant to be the pillars of the transition between two Warriors eras.

As the team’s main tradable asset, moving Kuminga while Butler is injured wouldn’t necessarily improve the roster. Instead, this could be the moment to relaunch him, invest in his development, and motivate him – giving Kuminga a long-awaited opportunity to prove the value the franchise once believed he could deliver.