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"Free JK" - Marc Spears believes it's time for the Warriors to trade Jonathan Kuminga
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- "Free JK" - Marc Spears believes it's time for the Warriors to trade Jonathan Kuminga
The voices that were somewhat quieted after Jonathan Kuminga signed a two-year deal and was named as part of the Golden State Warriors' starting five are back in chorus in the wake of Steve Kerr's decision not to field the young star in their recent game against the Chicago Bulls .
Healthy and in uniform after he started in the Warriors' game against the Philadelphia 76ers , where he logged in 21 minutes and 30 seconds and shot 1-for-10 from the field for only four points, Kerr decided to keep the 23-year-old on the bench in the Warriors' lopsided win.
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According to respected pundit Marc Spears , this may be the straw that finally breaks the camel's back, as he declared that the time is right for the Warriors and Kuminga to split.
Free JK
After being designated with the infamous "DNP-Coach's Decision" tag, Kuminga said all the right things in the locker after the game. However, Spears intimated that the eyes never lie, and what he saw from the young man spoke volumes.
"Free JK. You could see it in his eyes. He's trying to be professional," Spears said on "NBA Today." "I mean, it's still several weeks away before he's eligible to be traded, and it just started off so well. He averaged 15 points and seven rebounds the first 12 games. Then he got hurt, and just like last season, after he came back from injury, just doesn't mesh well with the Warriors."
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Things looked rosy early in the season for Kuminga after he signed a two-year contract worth $46,800,000. Unfortunately, he injured his knee on November 12, missed a couple of weeks and returned to action on November 29. Since then, he's averaged a dismal 7.8 points on 30 percent shooting.
Kuminga will be eligible to get traded on January 15, which means the Warriors have a few more weeks to ponder what steps they'll take. However, it has become increasingly clear to anyone who has followed this saga that Kuminga simply doesn't fit with the Warriors' system.
"Kuminga is at a number at $24 million where, you know, perhaps they could get a better player," Spears shared. "Or they're going to have to get a bigger-name player probably than before because of that number. So that will help the Warriors out."
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A tantalizing prospect
Kuminga's potential is beyond reproach. He is a 6'7" wingman who has a robust physique and athleticism that most NBA players can only dream of having. As tantalizing as those attributes are, his style of play often clashes with the Warriors' ethos of quick decision-making and ball movement.
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However, ESPN insider Bobby Marks reported that there's no shortage of teams that would want Kuminga on their roster.
"There's a faction of teams that really like him just based on his athleticism and his upside, and as far as filling a need from a frontcourt big wing here. I think it's going to be interesting to monitor," Marks said.
"I think the big question for me is what happens if there's a deal not of the Warriors' liking — if they don't make a trade by the February 5th deadline — and he's still on this roster past that," Marks intimated. "What is going to be the internal dynamics of it? He's saying the right things right now. Two months from now, if he's still on this Golden State roster and his role is still the same here…"
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That is indeed an intriguing question to ponder. Kuminga is clearly a 20-point-per-game scorer who's waiting to be unleashed. Unfortunately for him, it's apparent that won't happen on this Warriors team that leans on the veteran savvy of Steph Curry , Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green .
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Dec 9, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
