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Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors defeated the New York Knicks 126-113 on Thursday night at Chase Center.
Jimmy Butler led the way with 32 points on 14-of-22 shooting. Stephen Curry added 27 points. The win pushed Golden State to 23-19 and four games over .500 for the first time this season.
But the victory was overshadowed by news that broke earlier in the day.
Jonathan Kuminga demanded a trade.
Kuminga became trade-eligible on Thursday, January 15, per the terms of the contract he signed this summer. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Kuminga requested a trade on the first day he was allowed to be moved.
After the game, Butler was asked about Kuminga’s situation. His response made it clear where the locker room stands.
“We love JK in this locker room. That’s not gonna change,” Butler said. “We still rock with JK. I speak for everybody. We love the guy. I wish him the best here. I wish him the best wherever.”
The Jonathan Kuminga Situation Has Been Building for Weeks
GettyJonathan Kuminga has demanded a trade from the Golden State Warriors.
Kuminga’s trade request did not come out of nowhere.
He has not played in the Warriors’ last 13 games. Head coach Steve Kerr buried him at the bottom of the rotation after Kuminga started the first 12 games of the season. Kerr initially called him a secure starter following a hot start, but a stretch of struggles led to a demotion that landed poorly with Kuminga.
The relationship deteriorated further on January 2 when Kuminga ruled himself out with back soreness an hour before a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Kerr said he had planned to use Kuminga that night while the starters rested. The decision to sit out was interpreted as Kuminga’s way of distancing himself from the team.
Team sources told ESPN that essentially every major figure within the organization agrees that the best resolution is to trade Kuminga before the February 5 deadline. That includes Kuminga himself, Kerr, and veterans who have watched a $22.5 million player sit idle while the team struggles to find consistency.
The Contract That Set Up This Moment
Kuminga signed a two-year, $46.8 million contract this summer with a team option on the second season.
The structure was designed to create a tradeable contract at the deadline. Kuminga has a $24.3 million team option for next season, which gives acquiring teams flexibility. They can decline the option and use him as an expiring deal, or they can pick it up and keep him for another year at a manageable number.
The Warriors spent the entire summer in contentious contract negotiations with Kuminga. They used a challenging restricted free agency market to bring him back on a deal that worked in their favor. Kuminga told those around him that he felt forced into signing the contract, which further soured his relationship with management.
General manager Mike Dunleavy and his front office have spent recent weeks canvassing the market for Kuminga. The Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks are among the teams that have shown interest, but several others are involved because of Kuminga’s flexible contract structure.
League sources told ESPN that the Warriors have been prioritizing expiring contracts in return for Kuminga. They have declined to take back long-term money unless the value is undeniable. That approach has created friction in talks with Sacramento, where the Warriors have refused to absorb the three years and $60.4 million remaining on Malik Monk‘s deal. Keon Ellis, who is on a cheaper expiring contract, has been mentioned as a potential addition that could make a Sacramento package more palatable.
Why Butler’s Comments Matter
GettyJimmy Butler is in his first full season with the Golden State Warriors.
Butler’s postgame remarks carried weight because of the timing.
Kuminga requested a trade hours before tip-off. The Warriors then went out and beat the Knicks convincingly, with Butler leading the charge. It would have been easy for Butler to deflect or keep his comments vague. Instead, he spoke directly about Kuminga and made it clear the locker room still supports him.
“We love JK in this locker room. That’s not gonna change.“
That message matters. Kuminga may have requested a trade, but Butler made it clear that the relationship between Kuminga and his teammates has not fractured. The issue is between Kuminga and the organization, not between Kuminga and the players he shares the floor with.
Butler’s comments also reflect the reality that most players understand the business side of the league. Kuminga is not the first player to request a trade, and he will not be the last. Butler has been in the league long enough to know that these situations happen, and his response showed maturity and professionalism.
What Happens Next for the Warriors
The Warriors have not given assurances to any team that Kuminga will be traded before the deadline.
Some within the organization believe it could be better business to wait until the summer. But rival executives believe that stance is a bluff and expect Kuminga to be moved before February 5.
If the right star becomes available, the Warriors would be willing to move multiple first-round picks. However, they are more protective of their picks in 2028 and beyond than their 2026 selection.
Golden State’s preference for expiring contracts limits their options. They are not interested in taking back long-term money unless it comes with a player who significantly improves the roster. That calculus has made negotiations more difficult and narrowed the field of potential trade partners.
Final Word for the Warriors
Jonathan Kuminga requested a trade on Thursday.
Hours later, the Warriors beat the Knicks behind Jimmy Butler’s 32-point performance. After the game, Butler made it clear the locker room still supports Kuminga, even if the relationship between Kuminga and the organization has broken down.
The next three weeks will determine where Kuminga ends up. But regardless of what happens, Butler’s comments showed that the players who suited up alongside him still respect him and wish him well.
That speaks to the professionalism inside Golden State’s locker room, even as the front office works to move on from a player who was once viewed as a cornerstone of the franchise’s future.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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