As trade rumors swirl around Jonathan Kuminga’s future in Golden State, Steve Kerr has finally weighed in on the growing uncertainty surrounding the young forward. With reports emerging that Kuminga is frustrated with his role and open to a move, the situation has quickly become one of the NBA’s most closely watched storylines ahead of the deadline.

Now, the Warriors head coach has publicly addressed the ongoing conversations. In the recent episode of The Game podcast with Mark Willard and Dan Dibley, Kerr revealed that he has been in constant contact with Kuminga and has spoken about his future and his current status in the team. “He and I have had many conversations about his future, about his current status on the team,” Kerr commented. “We talk frequently. We have not spoken about this trade deadline for the last week or two, but we talk all the time.”

“I’m always very transparent with my players,” he added. “I think everybody wants honesty, and I’m always open to conversation with all my guys. If I see something that needs to be addressed, I always bring it up.”

Earlier this month, Kuminga requested a trade from the Warriors as he aims to revive his career at another team. The youngster continues to be highly rated at the Bay Arena ever since he was drafted as the eighth overall pick in 2021. He once envisioned a long career with the Dubs and wanted to be a ‘Warrior for life’ just like the stalwarts in the roster, like Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

However, things have turned out differently for Kuminga.

Prior reports suggest Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob had been one of Jonathan Kuminga’s staunchest allies, personally stepping in to keep the young forward off the trade block amid mounting contract drama.

That commitment shone through last summer. In August 2025, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne revealed Lacob saw Kuminga as a future All-Star and flat-out blocked his name from trade discussions, making a deal feel like a long shot that offseason.

Building on that support, Lacob flew to Miami for a heart-to-heart with Kuminga, straight-up asking if he wanted to stick around in the Bay. Kuminga flipped the script, questioning whether the Warriors truly wanted him – a tense exchange that proved Lacob’s hands-on push to lock in the restricted free agent.

Lacob doubled down publicly a couple months later. In October 2025, right after Kuminga inked a two-year, $48.5 million extension, the owner gushed, calling him “a great kid” and “exciting player.” Even while admitting the fit wasn’t seamless alongside Steph Curry and the vets, Lacob brimmed with optimism about Kuminga’s upside.

But NBA fortunes shift fast, and by January 2026, the tide had turned. Fresh reports painted a cooler Lacob, frustrated by Kuminga’s inconsistent play and a formal trade request from the player himself. This marked a stark pivot from the owner’s earlier cheerleading, hinting at deeper roster frustrations as Golden State chases another ring.

Jimmy Butler’s injury surely allowed him to return to the rotation, and once again, he produced some great performances off the bench.

But his wretched luck continues, and he suffered a bone bruise on his left knee and also another issue in his ankles. The forward has already missed the last three games, and his re-evaluation is due in the next few days.

Steve Kerr provides important update on Jonathan Kuminga’s injury return timeline

Jonathan Kuminga‘s career at the Bay Arena froze since December 19, and suddenly, he was called back into rotation once Butler got injured. He instantly came up with a 20-point performance in 20 minutes off the bench against the Toronto Raptors in a 145-127 defeat.

He continued the same momentum in the upcoming game against Dallas as he scored 10 points in nine minutes until he suffered a non-contact injury to his ankle and knee in an attempt to drive the ball into the rim.

Although MRI scans showed no serious implications, the young forward was sent home in the middle of the five-game away trip and most fans felt it was due to the trade talks, but Steve Kerr revealed that he was going through rehabilitation to get back in shape in the coming days.

“[Jonathan Kuminga] left the trip early, came home a couple of days ago to really focus on rehab,” Kerr stated. “We’re hoping that he’s not out for too long and that he’ll be able to play. But it literally is one of those things where it’s just day-to-day.”

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“Tomorrow, I’ll be in the facility, obviously with our game against Detroit,” he continued. “I’ll get a chance to talk to Rick and see JK. Hopefully, this won’t last too long.”

When asked when the 23-year-old could return to action, Kerr raised some concern by highlighting that it’s a freak injury that has affected both his ankles and knee. “I don’t really know, it was a weird injury. He tweaked both his ankle and his knee in the Dallas game,” Kerr shared his concern.

Kuminga continues to be on the sidelines nursing his injury and will probably miss the upcoming game against the Detroit Pistons.

In the three games that he has missed due to injury, the Warriors are 2-1, which proves the franchise’s depth and resilience, but Kerr and his coaching staff need every single personnel from their roster to step up as they continue to push for a playoff spot this season.