The Golden State Warriors have traded forward Jonathan Kuminga to the Atlanta Hawks for center Kristaps Porzingis, ending a five-season relationship marked by repeated clashes, stalled development and front-office infighting.
A decisive move after years of tension
The deal, completed last week ahead of the 2026 trade deadline, concluded what team insiders described as a “cordial cold war” that began soon after Kuminga was drafted seventh overall in 2021. According to multiple organizational sources, Kuminga, 23, never aligned with head coach Steve Kerr’s vision of him as a high-energy, low-usage wing, while Kuminga believed he should have been groomed as a primary scorer.
Flashpoint on Dec. 10, 2025
Relations reached a boiling point on Dec. 10 when Kuminga met with Kerr in the coach’s Chase Center office. What started as a discussion about minor off-court issues escalated into a broader argument over playing time and commitment. Witnesses said Kerr slammed his whiteboard in frustration, while Kuminga voiced resentment over what he saw as the staff’s lack of faith. The forward responded with two intense practices, but the détente was short-lived.
Unresolved role disputes
Kerr repeatedly compared Kuminga’s ideal role to that of Shawn Marion or Aaron Gordon, valuing defense, rebounding and rim running over on-ball creation. Team executives cited the forward’s lower isolation efficiency to justify limited touches. Kuminga’s camp countered that sporadic minutes and frequent DNPs stunted his growth.
Ownership influence and failed trade talks
Owner Joe Lacob, who bonded with Kuminga during a 2021 pre-draft dinner in Miami, consistently backed the player and resisted several trade proposals. Team officials said Lacob’s stance complicated negotiations with the Chicago Bulls for Alex Caruso in 2024, draft discussions with the Indiana Pacers in 2023 and a near-deal for Kevin Durant in 2025 that Durant ultimately vetoed.
Contract stalemate
Kuminga entered restricted free agency in July 2025 but found a cool market. Despite being labeled a “cornerstone” by general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., extension talks stalled when agent Aaron Turner pointed to Jalen Johnson’s five-year, $150 million Hawks deal as a benchmark. Kuminga eventually signed a two-year pact in late September, delaying other Warriors free-agent signings and aggravating the coaching staff.
Fractured 2025-26 season
Kuminga opened the current campaign as a starter and contributed to a 4-1 record, but was moved to the bench after the team hit a 6-6 skid. Knee tendinitis limited him that night, and Golden State won without him, prompting Kerr to say the Warriors had “rediscovered” their identity. Kuminga interpreted the remark as another slight. He went on to log 16 consecutive DNPs and rejected several late-game mop-up appearances, further straining relations.
Brief highs amid prolonged lows
Despite friction, Kuminga delivered notable stretches, including four straight games of 18-plus points on 55 percent shooting in the May 2025 playoff series against Minnesota after Stephen Curry’s hamstring injury. Earlier, he started three postseason games during the 2022 title run and set a franchise record with 138 dunks in 2023-24.
“Tough fit” acknowledged by both sides
In recent comments, Kerr accepted responsibility for the breakdown, calling it the “signature failure” of the club’s two-timeline plan. Dunleavy echoed the sentiment. Lacob declined to comment. Turner said the Warriors “shorted” Kuminga and predicted the forward would validate their stance in Atlanta.
The Hawks plan to debut Kuminga after the All-Star break. Porzingis, on an expiring contract, bolsters Golden State’s frontcourt while offering future salary flexibility.
Source: ESPN
