Imagine walking into a stadium and seeing a handful of fans, against all odds, proudly wearing the jersey of a player who hasn't even touched the court in weeks. That's the scene at Chase Center, where a dedicated few still sport Jonathan Kuminga's number, even as trade rumors swirl like a Bay Area fog. Are these fans delusional, or do they see something the Warriors' front office doesn't? Let's delve into the curious case of the Kuminga faithful.
Want to stay updated on everything Bay Area sports? Sign up for the Section 415 email newsletter here (https://sfstandard.com/newsletters/?newsletters=Section%20415%20and%20Sports%20Updates) and subscribe to the Section 415 podcast wherever you listen (https://sfstandard.com/2025/10/01/introducing-section-415-our-bay-area-sports-podcast/?utmsource=nativeshare&utmmedium=sitebuttons&utmcampaign=sitebuttons).
Jonathan Kuminga's situation with the Golden State Warriors is, to put it mildly, complicated. He's eligible to be traded soon, his playing time has vanished, and whispers suggest the Warriors are quietly preparing for a future without him. He becomes trade-eligible amidst an eight-game homestand on January 15th. But here's where it gets controversial... Despite all the signs pointing towards an exit, a small but dedicated group of fans remain steadfast in their belief in the young player. These are the Kuminga believers, the ones who haven't given up hope.
One such fan, Loren Harris, a Warriors devotee since the '80s, proudly wore his recently purchased white Kuminga No. 1 jersey to a game against the Milwaukee Bucks. "I'm always hoping that he's going to be playing," Harris explained. "I thought this would be his breakout year, and unfortunately, we haven't seen it yet." Harris pointed to Kuminga's flashes of brilliance over the past few seasons, moments of undeniable athletic potential. That spark, for Harris, hasn't been extinguished.
"I still have hope. I believe there's always a chance. I would like to think of it more positively," he said, envisioning Kuminga as a "surprise weapon" the Warriors might unleash in the playoffs. Could Kuminga still become a vital piece for the Warriors, or is this wishful thinking?
Kuminga was once seen as the bridge between the Steph Curry era and the Warriors' future. Drafted seventh overall in 2021, he was a long-term investment: a player whose athleticism, defensive versatility, and two-way potential could eventually carry the franchise forward as the core dynasty players aged. And this is the part most people miss... The idea was to develop him slowly, but the urgency to win now might be hindering his growth and leading to his potential departure.
However, his fifth NBA season has become a holding pattern, a source of frustration for both the player and his supporters. Even the Golden State Shops around Chase Center offer a subtle confirmation of his diminished status. Remember when Kuminga switched his jersey number from 00 to 1 for a "new start" after a summer of dramatic contract negotiations? Well, shortly after, his jersey disappeared from store displays. A store employee, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the jerseys were deliberately removed during the offseason, coinciding with growing uncertainty about Kuminga's future with the team. As of now, only five custom Kuminga jerseys have been made since the start of the season. The employee stated, "I don't like selling someone a jersey that they aren't going to be playing or be here." Every other Warriors player's jersey hangs in the store, except Kuminga's. This makes the few fans who still wear his jersey all the more noticeable.
Cheri Fairbrother, a Warriors fan since 1995, sporting a vintage Kuminga 00 jersey with matching socks, echoed Harris's sentiments. "When he first came in, we were really excited," she said. "Up until these last couple months, he's been an integral part of the team. I will still wear his jersey." Fairbrother described Kuminga as a player who "has a good basketball acumen," who "gets where he needs to be on the court," and whose "defense is good." She believes he "meshed well with the team." But, she trusts the organization's decision-making, even though the possibility of a Kuminga trade is difficult to accept. "It hurts me, I'd like him to stay," she confessed. "The relationship that he's built with Jimmy Butler has been fabulous to watch, and I'd like to see that continue to grow. If he was playing, I think we'd still be doing well." She added, "To keep him would be my best case."
While such optimism might be scarce inside Chase Center, Kuminga's loudest supporters are online, often expressing their frustration more vehemently. Armando Lara-Millan, a Warriors fan of over 30 years, feels "awful" about Kuminga's situation. He believes Coach Steve Kerr "never even tried to play Kuminga alongside three wings over these past four years." Lara-Millan, who owns Kuminga's G League Ignite jersey, regularly defends the player on social media. His frustration extends beyond recent rotation decisions. "I haven't accepted that attaching future first-round picks to an asset our own coach distressed will make our team irrelevant for years to come," he stated, referring to a potential trade deal and the Warriors' transition out of their dynastic era. Is Lara-Millan right? Is the coaching staff failing Kuminga, and potentially the future of the Warriors?
Inside the locker room, Kuminga's lack of playing time hasn't caused any visible animosity. Teammates have been supportive. Jimmy Butler stated directly, "I could care less if he's out of the rotation. That's my friend. That's my brother. That's not going to change. Basketball is basketball." Draymond Green also refuted suggestions that Kuminga is disengaged, recounting a story of Kuminga coaching Brandin Podziemski through the challenges of limited playing time. "If people try to say, 'Ah, man he's moping,' no, no, no … whatever happens at the trade deadline, if Jonathan Kuminga's moved, whoever gets Jonathan Kuminga, that's the guy you're getting," Green said.
For fans like Lara-Millan, a Kuminga trade would be the culmination of years of mismanagement, warranting a broader reassessment of the coaching staff. Others, like Harris, are trying to accept the inevitable. "I just want us to do right by the team," Harris said. "I look at it differently in that way." Ultimately, the Kuminga situation raises a key question: Can a team balance the present need for wins with the future development of young talent? Is it time for the Warriors to move on, or are they making a mistake that will haunt them for years to come? Let us know what you think in the comments below. Do you think the Warriors are making the right decision with Kuminga? Are his supporters right to hold onto hope?
With Jonathan Kuminga, the Warriors can’t wait around for the perfect trade (https://sfstandard.com/2026/01/11/jonathan-kuminga-warriors-trade-options/)
The Warriors have a new magic word (https://sfstandard.com/2026/01/10/warriors-turnovers-steph-curry-steve-kerr/)
What if the Warriors actually start to make shots? (https://sfstandard.com/2026/01/08/warriors-three-pointers-steph-curry/)
