Jonathan Kuminga didn’t play a single second last Sunday—and that silence may have said everything. The 23-year-old forward received his first healthy DNP of the season, a stunning development that only intensified league-wide belief that his days with the Golden State Warriors are numbered ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline. As speculation continues to swirl, one voice finally cut through the noise: Steph Curry’s.
Speaking candidly to reporters, the Warriors’ franchise icon offered empathy, advice, and a subtle acknowledgment of the harsh reality facing Kuminga. Curry urged the young forward not to lose his “spirit,” even as circumstances suggest a separation may be inevitable.
“Really, the hardest part is, whether it’s going well or whether it’s not, not losing your spirit,” Curry said. “That’s been JK’s challenge as a young player. Things change so quickly, and there’s all these declarations about who he is as a player, and does he fit.”
It was a revealing moment—equal parts mentorship and quiet warning. Because while Curry emphasized belief, the numbers, rotations, and timing tell a much colder story.
Kuminga opened the 2025–26 season looking like a breakout star. Through his first six games in October, he averaged 17.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting an efficient 55 percent from the field. The athleticism was undeniable. The confidence was visible. The role seemed secure.
Then it vanished.
Within the first 10 games, Kuminga lost his starting spot. By November, his minutes had dipped to just over 24 per game. In December, that number fell further—to 19.1 minutes—before bottoming out with a healthy DNP that sent a clear message across the league.
Despite the regression, Curry continues to publicly back his teammate.
“We still have high hopes that he’ll impact our team this year,” Curry said. “But you’re a game or two away from it coming right back to you. And if you’ve checked out, or if you’re not engaged in the learning process, then you might miss your moment.”
Those words matter—but so does context. The Warriors are under no obligation to force-feed minutes to a player they may soon move. Kuminga is on a two-year, $46.8 million deal with a team option, making him one of the most attractive low-risk trade assets on the market. Any acquiring team gets a four-month audition before deciding his long-term future in the summer of 2026.
That reality has fundamentally reshaped how Golden State approaches his role. Steve Kerr doesn’t need to protect Kuminga’s trade value by playing him extended minutes. The Warriors already know there will be interest. In fact, multiple teams—reportedly at least five, including the Chicago Bulls—are monitoring Kuminga closely as he becomes trade-eligible on Jan. 15.
From a front-office perspective, the situation is brutally pragmatic. From a human one, it’s far more complicated.
Curry acknowledged that tension directly.
“Everybody’s journey is a little different,” he said. “There’s that balance of who you think you are as a player versus what a team needs you to do in any given moment throughout a year.”
Translation: talent alone doesn’t guarantee opportunity—especially on a team trying to win now.
For Kuminga, the next few weeks may define his career trajectory. A trade could unlock a featured role elsewhere. Staying in Golden State could mean continuing to fight for minutes in an increasingly unforgiving rotation. Either way, the clock is ticking.
Steph Curry’s message was supportive, sincere, and honest. But beneath the encouragement was an unspoken truth: belief doesn’t always stop change. And as the deadline approaches, the Warriors—and Kuminga—may be running out of time to find common ground.
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