NBA Rumors: Warriors reportedly holding Jonathan Kuminga for potential trade involving 2-time MVP

Jonathan Kuminga is currently one of the most talked-about names in the NBA. With the peak of free agency now behind us, few top-tier players have uncertain futures. But the Golden State Warriors could be keeping an ace up their sleeve for the near future.

According to Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard, the Warriors are not willing to part with Kuminga unless it’s in a deal that brings back full value. They know that, even though he hasn’t played a major role recently under Steve Kerr, the forward is one of the most promising talents in the league, and they want to maximize his value in any potential trade.

That’s why they’re not in a rush to resolve the situation. One possible outcome is that the player signs a contract with Golden State at some point this summer and begins the season with the team, with the idea of exploring a deal with another franchise before the February 12, 2026 trade deadline.

But that’s not all there is to it. “There’s another reason why the Warriors don’t want to give Kuminga away for less than his full trade value: Like every other smart team, they’re trying to maintain every asset they’ve got so they’re ready once and if the Giannis Antetokounmpo market heats up,” wrote Kawakami.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to the NBA title in 2021.

What’s Giannis’ situation in Milwaukee?

For months, speculation has swirled about Antetokounmpo potentially leaving Milwaukee for the first time in his career—especially given the weakened state of the Bucks’ roster and how difficult it currently seems to imagine them competing at the highest level in the Eastern Conference.

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Still, Milwaukee’s front office remains optimistic about Giannis’ future. “We have no indication that anything is really changing as far as our relationship with the player we think is the best in the world,” an executive recently told Keith Smith of Spotrac.

And, according to Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard, the Warriors don’t necessarily believe the Greek Freak is about to leave the Bucks—or even that he will at all. But they’re still holding onto an asset that could become extremely valuable if that scenario ever comes to pass.

What additions will the Warriors make to their roster?

Golden State is the only NBA team that hasn’t made any roster moves so far this offseason. However, that doesn’t mean they’re not preparing for the upcoming campaign. It’s all but certain that Al Horford will join the Warriors in the near future, and it’s also likely that De’Anthony Melton will come with him.

The uncertainty surrounding Kuminga has delayed those announcements, along with other possibilities. Seth Curry is one of the names mentioned as a potential addition to the roster, but he’s not the only one. “And who could the Warriors be looking at? I’ve heard rumbles about the return of Gary Payton II, who remains unsigned,” said Kawakami.