The Golden State Warriors lost Jimmy Butler to a season-ending torn ACL on Monday night.
Butler went down in the third quarter of the Warriors’ 135-112 win over the Miami Heat and will miss the remainder of the season. The injury creates a massive hole in Golden State’s rotation, and head coach Steve Kerr was asked after the game if Jonathan Kuminga could return to the lineup.
Kerr’s response was direct.
“Sure. Absolutely,” Kerr said.
The comment is notable given Kuminga’s recent history with the team. Kuminga has not played since December 18 and has missed the last 16 games, most of them as a healthy scratch. On January 15, the first day Kuminga was eligible to be traded, he officially demanded a trade from the Warriors, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater and Shams Charania.
Now, with Butler out for the season, the Warriors face a decision: bring Kuminga back into the rotation out of necessity, or continue to keep him sidelined while searching for a trade.
Why Jonathan Kuminga Makes Sense for the Warriors Now
GettyJonathan Kuminga has demanded a trade from the Golden State Warriors.
Kuminga has been buried on the bench for over a month.
The decision to sit him was largely driven by fit. Kuminga, Butler, and Draymond Green are all below-average three-point shooters. Playing all three together clogged the paint and limited spacing for Stephen Curry, who needs room to operate.
That fit problem no longer exists with Butler out.
Kuminga is a 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward who can defend multiple positions and provide athleticism that the Warriors desperately need. Without Butler, Golden State lacks size and physicality on the wing. Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski will see increased minutes, but neither brings the same defensive versatility or physical presence that Kuminga provides.
Kuminga averaged 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 18 games this season before being removed from the rotation. He started the first 12 games of the season and showed flashes of productivity before Kerr demoted him.
From a basketball standpoint, it makes sense to give Kuminga at least a significant bench role. The Warriors need his size, athleticism, and ability to defend bigger wings. And with Butler out, the spacing concerns that kept Kuminga on the bench are no longer as pressing.
The Relationship Between Kuminga and the Warriors May Be Too Strained
The question is whether the relationship can be repaired.
Kuminga has not played in over a month. He demanded a trade on the first day he was eligible to be moved. And there has been speculation that Kuminga and the Warriors front office came to an agreement that he would not play while the team searched for a trade partner before the February 5 deadline.
On January 2, hours before the Warriors’ game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kerr said Kuminga would play. But shortly before tip-off, Kuminga was ruled out with a back injury. That sequence raised questions about whether Kuminga’s absence was truly injury-related or part of a broader plan to keep him off the court.
Now, with Butler out for the season, the Warriors are in a bind. They need Kuminga’s production, but the relationship has deteriorated to the point where it is unclear if he would even be willing to return to the rotation.
Kerr’s comment that Kuminga could play was notable. It was the first time in weeks that Kerr has publicly acknowledged Kuminga as a potential option. But whether that translates into actual playing time remains to be seen.
What Kerr’s Comment Means for Kuminga’s Future
Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty ImagesSteve Kerr, Golden State Warriors.
Kerr’s willingness to consider playing Kuminga suggests the Warriors are at least open to the idea.
But openness and action are two different things. The Warriors are still actively trying to trade Kuminga before the deadline. Reports have indicated that the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks have shown interest, but no deal has materialized.
If the Warriors cannot find a trade partner, they will have to decide whether to keep Kuminga sidelined or bring him back into the rotation. With Butler out for the season, the basketball case for playing Kuminga is stronger than it has been in weeks.
But the personal and organizational dynamics complicate the situation. Kuminga demanded a trade. The Warriors have benched him for over a month. And the trust between the two sides appears to have eroded significantly.
Kerr’s comment opened the door. But whether Kuminga actually walks through it remains uncertain.
Final Word for the Warriors
Steve Kerr said Jonathan Kuminga could play following Jimmy Butler’s season-ending ACL tear.
The comment was notable given Kuminga’s 16-game absence and his recent trade demand. From a basketball standpoint, it makes sense to bring Kuminga back. The Warriors need his size, athleticism, and defensive versatility with Butler out for the season.
But the relationship between Kuminga and the Warriors has been strained. Whether the two sides can move past the last month and work together remains unclear. Kerr opened the door, but it is up to Kuminga and the front office to decide whether to walk through it.
For now, the Warriors are still trying to trade Kuminga before the February 5 deadline. If a deal does not materialize, Golden State may have no choice but to bring him back into the rotation.
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