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The Golden State Warriors are in a state of disarray. The team has struggled to start the year, sitting at the 8th seed with a 22-19 record. Jonathan Kuminga has publicly requested a trade from the Bay. Amid all this, head coach Steve Kerr’s name has come up in discussions about the team’s performance and future, along with his own. And according to a three-time Sixth Man of the Year, the writing is already on the wall for the legendary coach.

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“Kerr’s also on his last year,” Michelle Beadle crucially pointed out on Run It Back. “Wouldn’t that be crazy if we come back next season and neither one of them is in Golden State? Or Kuminga stayed, and Kerr’s no longer coaching?”

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It was here that former Los Angeles Clippers star Lou Williams made the most pointed observation:

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It kind of looks like that’s the trend right now, right?” Williams said. “It kind of looks like that’s how it’s gonna go.”

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Williams is not wrong. Kerr, on the final year of his deal, has publicly indicated that the Kuminga trade request is a “difficult situation” that the organization is trying to work through, and as time has gone on, it’s become increasingly clear that both coaching and management have soured on the forward.

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It also wouldn’t be surprising if the long-time Warriors coach called it quits on his coaching career, especially since he has addressed it at various points this season. Kerr and the Warriors have publicly expressed that they plan to reassess after this season, and Kerr is not committing to coaching beyond 2026.

“Maybe Kerr goes back to TV,” Beadle said, wondering what could be next for the 60-year-old. “That would be very, very interesting.”

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Beadle was not the only soul anticipating a coaching change next season. ESPN’s Monica McNutt made it clear that Kerr “is on his way out.” She also went so far as to say that Stephen Curry is as well. That’s a reasonable assumption, considering even the sharpshooter’s deal ends after the 2026-27 season.

Only time will tell where Kerr ends up by the time the next season rolls around, but Kuminga’s status is in just as much flux.

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Inside the Lakers’ interest in Jonathan Kuminga, and what the trade could look like

Jonathan Kuminga is an odd commodity. Though teams around the league are still somewhat interested, his value has dropped significantly due to reduced playtime, and his earlier trade request, which became public, has only worsened the Warriors’ standing. It is here that the Los Angeles Lakers enter the picture.

Insider Jake Fischer had previously reported that the Lakers were looking to add Kuminga last offseason during his standoff in the Bay, and have continued to monitor his status in the search for a 3-and-D wing around Luka Doncic and LeBron James, especially given the team’s defensive struggles this season.

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Any deal between the division rivals will likely involve Rui Hachimura’s expiring contract. Here’s what a potential trade could look like:

Lakers Receive: Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Receive: Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht

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Since this would be a buy-low trade given Kuminga’s value, any draft capital being involved is unlikely, while the move serves as a roster shuffle for both teams.

The Warriors would want to add reliable shooters to fit into the team’s system, making lineups with Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler more viable.

It must also be noted that this is likely a last resort trade for both sides. After all, why not take a swing if nothing else materializes?

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Siddharth Rawat

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Siddharth Rawat is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports, focused on covering roster moves and injury updates from the Newsroom Desk. Combining a background in literature with analytical approach, he provides reports that go beyond surface-level news. Siddharth has closely followed the Cleveland Cavaliers for years, offering timely and insightful updates on any trades, injuries, or roster shifts involving the team. In addition to his sports journalism, Siddharth is a passionate gaming content specialist with extensive knowledge of game culture and esports. He holds a degree in literature and computer science and has experience in organizing esports events and conducting industry research. His blend of creativity, structure, and research experience allows him to craft engaging content and community-focused experiences tailored for gaming and interactive media audiences.

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Daniel D'Cruz

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