Jonathan Kuminga has added boxing to his offseason workout routine, following the path of Damian Lillard and Rudy Gobert. On Friday, the Golden State Warriors forward shared a video on his Instagram story showcasing his mitt workouts, capturing the attention of fans amid ongoing trade speculation surrounding him. This new training focus comes at a time when Kuminga is engaged in a contract and role standoff with the Warriors’ front office.
Details of Kuminga’s Reduced Role After Warriors’ New Acquisition
Kuminga’s playing time saw a noticeable decline late in the 2024-25 NBA season, coinciding with the Warriors’ acquisition of Jimmy Butler. Before an ankle injury in early January, Kuminga was averaging 31.1 minutes per game in December. However, during March and April, his time on the court dropped to just 20.6 minutes per game. Coach Steve Kerr attributed this reduction to spacing challenges when deploying Kuminga alongside Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler together, a point he reiterated after the Warriors’ second-round playoff exit.
Contract and Trade Challenges Surrounding Kuminga’s Future
As a restricted free agent, Kuminga appears eager to find a situation that offers him a larger role, but his options remain limited. If Golden State opts not to trade him before the 2025-26 season and retains him on the roster, Kuminga is poised to accept a one-year qualifying offer that carries a no-trade clause. This clause would significantly restrict the Warriors’ ability to move him during the contract period.
Reporter Dan Favale has suggested a possible resolution could involve revising the two-year, $45 million contract extension the Warriors proposed this summer. He believes that changing the second-year team option to a player option might persuade Kuminga to sign, providing greater flexibility for both parties.
Fan Reactions and Upcoming Season Outlook
The release of Kuminga’s boxing video sparked reactions from Golden State supporters, ranging from jokes about his dispute with the front office to references to past team tensions, such as Draymond Green’s well-known fight with Jordan Poole before the 2022-23 season. Some fans also encouraged Kuminga to focus on basketball skills more directly related to his in-game performance.
Should Kuminga remain with the Warriors, the team is scheduled to start the 2025-26 regular season with a road matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 21. With training camp approaching swiftly, the situation remains uncertain, and fans will watch closely to see how Kuminga’s standing with Golden State evolves.