Jimmy Butler’s devastating season-ending ACL tear sent shockwaves through the NBA, instantly thrusting the Golden State Warriors into must-win mode. With their playoff hopes suddenly hanging by a thread at 26-22, many expected the front office to go all-in at the February 5 trade deadline—perhaps even dangling Jonathan Kuminga to shake up the roster and salvage the campaign.
Speculation exploded around a potential blockbuster with the Sacramento Kings, centered on shipping Kuminga for veteran scorer DeMar DeRozan. On paper, it seemed like a clean fit: DeRozan’s mid-range mastery could replace Butler’s scoring punch, while his $24.7 million salary this season (rising to $25.7 million next year) aligned neatly with Kuminga’s $22.5 million deal as part of a larger three-year, $73.8 million contract.
Yet, in a stunning display of restraint—or calculated stubbornness—the Warriors have slammed the door on that scenario.
According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Golden State has zero interest in absorbing DeRozan’s long-term money or taking on Malik Monk’s multiyear contract (part of a four-year, $77.9 million extension). League sources confirm no recent progress in talks with Sacramento, despite the Kings’ long-standing eagerness to offload DeRozan and their prior status as Kuminga’s most interested suitor.
The Warriors’ message to the Kings is crystal clear: they’re only open to smaller moves involving expiring contracts—not saddling themselves with additional years of big salaries for what they see as a knee-jerk, short-term fix.
This hardline stance persists even as Kuminga’s leverage has reportedly weakened and his desire for a fresh start—particularly in Sacramento, where he’s eyed a starting power forward role alongside Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis—remains well-known. That preference dates back to offseason whispers, but GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. refuses to cave to demands if it means accepting a “bad value” deal.
Adding fuel to the fire, Kuminga briefly returned to the rotation post-Butler injury, flashing his potential with 30 points in key games before a bone bruise sidelined him again. With Butler out, there’s renewed internal belief that Kuminga could reclaim meaningful minutes and prove his worth—making a trade “less likely” now than before the ACL tear.
The bigger picture? Golden State’s front office is playing the long game. Financial flexibility remains sacred as they eye blockbuster summer pursuits, including potential runs at LeBron James in free agency or even Giannis Antetokounmpo via trade if opportunities arise. Dumping assets now for aging veterans on hefty deals would handcuff those ambitions.
Despite recent momentum (12 wins in 16 games pre-injury) and a still-competitive spot in the loaded Western Conference, the Warriors are choosing patience over panic. They’re willing to ride out the uncertainty with their core—Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and a potentially revitalized Kuminga—rather than chase a quick fix that could jeopardize future dominance.
In the end, this isn’t about ignoring the alarm—it’s about refusing to let a blaring siren force a desperate, regrettable move. The Warriors are betting discipline and vision will pay off far more than a flashy, short-sighted trade ever could. Time will tell if this gamble burns bright… or just burns.