The Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga are like that one couple you know who have been dragging out a breakup that everyone knows is coming for far past the relationship's natural expiration point. At the very least, Los Angeles Lakers fans can get a good laugh from the situation.
The latest opportunity for a good chuckle comes from Mike Dunleavy Jr. The Warriors general manager was asked about the trade request from Kuminga and his answer to the question was nothing short of pure comedy.
Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy talks about Kuminga’s trade demand. pic.twitter.com/ZfjttWGT7K
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) January 21, 2026
Dunleavy said, "As far as the demand, I'm aware of that. I think in terms of demands, when you make a demand, there needs to be demand on the market. ... So we're good with, if that's his wishes, trying to figure that out. But we've got to do what's best for our organization, and that's what we'll do."
Whether intentional or not, that comes off as a massive shot at the Warriors forward. It sure sounds like Dunleavy saying the Warriors have certainly tried to grant Kuminga's wish, but no one is willing to be the recipient on the other end. Again, all of this is pure comedy from the Lakers' point of view.
Lakers fans can’t hide their amusement at Mike Dunleavy's embarrassing Kuminga quote
Trying to figure out where Kuminga lands after the Warriors has been a guessing game that stretches back as long as one can remember at this point. Dunleavy sounds like a man just as frustrated as anyone. This situation has hung over his head ad nauseum.
So, the question is: Where does Kuminga go?
The former first-round pick has been endlessly linked to several teams since it became more and more apparent that Kuminga and head coach Steve Kerr did not see eye to eye on his future. It brings up another important question.
Do the Warriors have no suitors, or do they lack teams offering them a package they are willing to take?
It feels like every franchise under the sun has been connected to Kuminga at some point. Even the Lakers came up in trade rumors a few times. That would be a brutal mistake, for whatever that is worth.
The unfortunate injury to Jimmy Butler only puts the Warriors in a harsher bind. With Butler set to miss the rest of the season due to a torn ACL, Golden State desperately needs reinforcements. Kuminga is the man to help them secure as much.
All of this serves as a great reminder for the Lakers that no matter how bad you may believe your set of circumstances are at any given time, there is always someone who has it just a bit worse. There was no need to go further than California to learn that lesson this time.