[Amick] You never know what might shake loose as the deadline nears, and it’s safe to assume that longtime owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy will get even more aggressive in their pursuit of roster upgrades. But team sources say the phones are simply not ringing for Kuminga’s service
But this Butler injury changes everything. Will Kerr rely on Kuminga, the 23-year-old with whom he has struggled for so long? It’s nearly impossible to imagine a basketball world where Kuminga becomes the savior. No, this — the loss of a proud star in his late 30s who is in the first year of a two-year, $112 million extension that he was given upon arrival when the Warriors traded for him last February — just might be their death knell. Especially considering Butler had a meniscus tear in that same knee in 2018 (which required surgery) and an MCL sprain in 2024.
Consider this much, too: Even if Kuminga decides to play ball, so to speak, we’ve already seen the limits of that particular approach. He did his best in the Western Conference semifinals last postseason after a Game 1 hamstring injury ended Curry’s season. Kuminga averaged 24.3 points on 55.4 percent shooting in 31 minutes per game, and … the Warriors still lost in five games. That’s a cautionary tale if ever there was one.
What’s more, it’s worth noting that Kuminga was the only active Warriors player not to play against the Heat Monday, despite them being without Draymond Green, Melton and Butler (after his injury). That speaks volumes.
If nothing else, Kuminga should be motivated by the fact that his value is not what he or his agent, Aaron Turner, believed it to be. All indications are that the Sacramento Kings remain the only legitimate suitor for his services, and they lowered their offer recently (refusing to include a protected first-round pick) because of the Warriors’ sordid state of affairs.
You never know what might shake loose as the deadline nears, and it’s safe to assume that longtime owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy will get even more aggressive in their pursuit of roster upgrades. But team sources say the phones are simply not ringing for Kuminga’s services at this point.
Here’s an idea to pass the time: Kuminga, who has every right to be frustrated by the way in which his Warriors situation has evolved, should compartmentalize all of that angst and prove his worth to the league in these coming weeks. After all, Golden State did give him a two-year, $48.5 million deal last summer, with a team option for next season and the overall impression that services would be rendered.
When Kerr was asked if Kuminga might finally see the floor in the wake of Butler’s injury, he said, “Absolutely.” He was then asked if he was ready.
“Yep, yep,” Kerr said.
Now is the time to deliver — so long as Kerr calls his number. Their almost-dead dynasty depends on it.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6985126/2026/01/20/warriors-jimmy-butler-injury-future-roster/