After the Golden State Warriors traded for Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga could be the odd man out.
Last Wednesday, the Golden State Warriors made a much-anticipated blockbuster trade, adding Jimmy Butler to the fold. In his two games with the Warriors, he has been stellar, averaging 22.5 points as the Dubs cruised to easy wins over the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks.
As a physical, defensive-minded wing, the Warriors were eager to ink him to a two-year extension, keeping him in Golden State through the 2026-27 season.
There has long been speculation about whether or not the Warriors see Jonathan Kuminga as a long-term fit, and this trade seems to signal that they don’t, but not all is as it seems.
Kuminga has sat out since Jan. 4 with an ankle sprain, but in 32 games so far this season, he has averaged a solid 16.8 points, five rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting 45.9% from the floor and serving as one of the Dubs’ better defenders.
While Kuminga is a solid player, there is no doubt that Butler is better on both ends of the ball.
There is a growing belief that the Warriors would have to pick between the two forwards, but with Butler signed to an extension and Kuminga ready to enter restricted free agency, it seems like the choice has been made.
“There’s the positive way to look at it and the negative way to look at it,” said The Athletic’s Anthony Slater on FanDuel’s Run It Back.
“The positive way is there’s a belief that this could be a perfect prototype for Kuminga to look at.
“I went into the locker room in Chicago the other day and he was immediately calling me over like ‘I love this guy, I love to watch how he plays because it’s like power driving,’ it’s the stuff Kuminga needs to maximize, look at Jimmy Butler and be that type of player.
“I think in a way, Jimmy mentoring him could be a good thing.”
If Kuminga and Butler can get along–and it seems like they already do–then the Warriors are in an excellent spot. Having two heady defenders as oversized wings is always better than just having one, although the Warriors might struggle to retain Kuminga even if they want to.
With Andrew Wiggins, who the Warriors traded, slated to make $28.2 million next season and Butler on the books for well over $50 million next year, the Warriors will struggle to stay under the second apron if they choose to retain Kuminga.
The Warriors can match any offer sheet Kuminga signs, although they can’t afford to overpay for the young wing.
“It’s a lot more crowded on the books,” Slater continued.
“I talked to Joe Lacob, and he said they’re committed to paying Kuminga long term, they’re clearly going to be a big tax team next season…We will find out the rest of the season if it is the right type of on-court fit and if they can win with this core.”
If the Warriors rise up the standings and Butler shows that he can win next to Curry, expect the Dubs to keep as much talent as possible, which bodes well for Kuminga’s career in Golden State.
