The Golden State Warriors are on a roll right now, winning 10 of their last 14 games to stay within striking distance of an outright spot in the playoffs. However, that has rarely been the topic of conversation in the Bay Area these days. This is because of the trade request of young forward Jonathan Kuminga , who has finally had enough after being out of the rotation for most of this season.
While a contentious situation like this could derail a team with younger players, Warriors megastar Stephen Curry expressed confidence that they wouldn't be bothered by the noise, given how much experience they have in dealing with various on- and off-the-court issues.
The Warriors have been the most popular team in the NBA over the last decade. Since winning it all in 2015 and adding three more championships to their collection, the Dubs have been under constant scrutiny and attention. From the rise of Curry to the arrival of Kevin Durant , they have always been at the center of media coverage.
However, it hasn't been all rainbows and sunshine for the Warriors. They have dealt with injuries, team drama, and criticism from fans and the media alike. From Draymond Green 's on-court clash with Durant to his punching of teammate Jordan Poole to Steve Kerr's decision to bench Kuminga, the Dubs have dealt with a lot.
Throughout it all, Steph has remained composed, refusing to let the team be distracted by the surrounding drama. In response to the latest developments, the Chef emphasized their commitment to staying focused on what truly matters: basketball.
"It's not a distraction at all. It's a very unique situation, but our job is to just keep playing, keep winning. It'll resolve itself one way or the other," Curry said after the Warriors defeated the New York Knicks , 126-113. "We've done it this whole time. So, very, very well trained in this area to just play basketball."
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A lot has been reported about the disintegration of Kerr's relationship with Kuminga . However, Steve reiterated that he maintains healthy relations with the talented 23-year-old. However, he didn't add much to Thursday's developments.
"There's not a whole lot I can say about the other stuff," Kerr explained . "It is what it is. Difficult situation for everybody. Part of this league, part of this job. We just keep moving forward. But it's a tough situation, and I don't really have much to add."
Like Curry, Kerr is confident that the team will keep plugging away and not be deterred by any outside noise.
"It won't be a distraction. Jonathan's a great young guy. His teammates like him. He's handling himself well. There won't be a distraction," Kerr added.
While Curry and Kerr seem to have the boat steady, it's clear that the situation surrounding Kuminga will remain a hot topic until it is resolved. It's in both parties' best interests to do just that, as the Warriors need an injection of new talent while JK desperately needs a fresh start.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jan 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
