Dub Nation, as we dive into 2026 with the Warriors sitting strong in the Western Conference hunt, the Jonathan Kuminga trade rumors are heating up – but the latest intel from Marc Stein is pouring cold water on Golden State’s top target. The New Orleans Pelicans are flat-out refusing to discuss trades involving their prized wings Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones, creating a massive stalemate just weeks before JK becomes trade-eligible on January 15 and ahead of the February 5 deadline.
This isn’t new drama – the Warriors have been eyeing Murphy as their ideal return for months. Back in December, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst spelled it out: Golden State’s front office dreams of swapping Kuminga straight-up for a young, two-way wing in his 20s on a team-friendly deal, without surrendering any first-round picks. At 25, Murphy checks every box perfectly. He’s locked in on a fresh 4-year, $112 million extension (kicking in with $25M this season), delivers elite volume shooting (recently breaking the Pelicans’ franchise record for career threes), and has evolved into a versatile defender who switches across positions. Pair him next to Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green? That’s the kind of long-term fit that could extend the championship window.
Golden State has been aggressive, with reports from Jake Fischer and Chris Haynes confirming inquiries dating back to last summer. But New Orleans isn’t budging – they’ve “battled away” every call, valuing Murphy (and lockdown defender Herb Jones) as core pieces too high to move.
The holdup boils down to valuation mismatch. Sam Amick of The Athletic notes the Pelicans are expected to listen on Kuminga, but feedback is “mixed.” Some in NOLA like JK’s athletic upside at 23, but others worry about his consistency, fit in their system, and whether his development curve justifies losing a proven producer like Murphy. Kuminga’s diminished role isn’t helping his trade stock: He’s appeared in just a handful of games lately, dealing with a back issue that sidelined him recently, and logging mostly coach’s decisions or limited minutes.
Adding irony to the saga? Jimmy Butler – whose arrival crowded the wing rotation – has been JK’s biggest vocal supporter, insisting the trade noise isn’t affecting him and calling him “my brother.” Pure class from Jimmy, but it underscores the awkward spot: The Warriors need to upgrade around their vets, and Kuminga is the prime chip.
This standoff likely drags on. Unless the Pelicans’ season spirals (they’ve shown flashes but remain inconsistent), contenders don’t trade players like Murphy – the exact archetype teams build around. Golden State might have to sweeten the pot (add picks or pieces like Moses Moody), pivot to other targets (Myles Turner? Lower-tier wings?), or hold pat until summer.
With the deadline a month away, leverage matters. Dub Nation, do we force a Murphy deal by upping the offer, explore Herb Jones as a defensive monster alternative, or trust the current group? Is it time to move on from the Kuminga era?