NEW ORLEANS — As the NBA’s February 5 trade deadline approaches, the noise surrounding Jonathan Kuminga and a potential move to the Big Easy is hitting a significant roadblock.
Despite weeks of speculation linking the Golden State Warriors’ forward to the New Orleans Pelicans—with rumors even suggesting Trey Murphy III or Herb Jones as potential targets—it appears the interest may have been more smoke than fire.
Speaking with Scoop B this evening, a high-ranking Pelicans source cast major doubt on the possibility of Kuminga landing in New Orleans, stating bluntly: “Don’t think the interest from the Pels is real.”
The Battle for Kuminga: Kings, Lakers and Mavs in the Mix
While the Pelicans may be cooling, the market for the 23-year-old forward is far from quiet. Rival executives continue to point toward three Western Conference rivals as the primary suitors for Kuminga’s services:
- Sacramento Kings: Widely considered the “frontrunners” in league circles. The Kings have long been fascinated by Kuminga’s athleticism, though a potential deal has been stalled by Golden State’s reluctance to take on long-term money like Malik Monk’s contract without a significant draft asset attached.
- Los Angeles Lakers: Rob Pelinka has reportedly “kept an eye” on Kuminga since the offseason. While the Lakers are hunting for 3-and-D wings, Kuminga’s scoring is seen as a high-upside flier to pair alongside Luka Dončić and LeBron James.
- Dallas Mavericks: The Mavs have previously engaged the Warriors in trade talks, and while those conversations initially centered on larger stars, league sources suggest Dallas remains a “believable” destination if they can facilitate a multi-team deal that adds youth to their rotation.
A Fractured Relationship and the Butler Effect
The urgency for a trade reached a fever pitch on January 15, the first day Kuminga became trade-eligible, when he officially requested a move. Insiders have described his relationship with head coach Steve Kerr as “fractured beyond repair,” largely due to inconsistent minutes and a clash over his role.
However, a wrench was thrown into the trade machinery last week when Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Kuminga was immediately thrust back into the Warriors’ rotation, but the “showcase” was cut short when Kuminga himself suffered a left knee injury during a January 22 loss to Dallas. While not expected to be serious, the injury adds another layer of risk for teams like the Kings or Lakers looking to pull the trigger.
The Final Countdown
The Warriors’ stance remains firm: they want win-now talent or expiring contracts to maintain flexibility. With the Pelicans likely out of the picture, Mike Dunleavy Jr. is playing a high-stakes game of chicken with Sacramento and Los Angeles.
If a deal isn’t reached by the 3 p.m. ET deadline on February 5, Golden State faces a volatile locker room situation for the remainder of the season.
Stay tuned to ScoopB.com for more updates as the NBA Trade Deadline develops.
