Warriors insider provides crucial Jonathan Kuminga injury update amid Jimmy Butler trade buzz

The Golden State Warriors have reportedly stepped away from pursuing Jimmy Butler, but they remain open to making moves this trade season. One of their most valuable trade assets is Jonathan Kuminga.

Kuminga is currently sidelined with an ankle injury that could keep him out for up to three weeks. The Warriors forward had been showing notable progress in recent weeks, which may have boosted his trade value, but the injury has stalled that momentum.

On Thursday, during the Warriors' visit to the Detroit Pistons, Anthony Slater of The Athletic provided an update on Kuminga’s status.

“Jonathan Kuminga made the trip with the Warriors. He’s off crutches but now in a walking boot with a limp,” he wrote.

The Warriors confirmed that Kuminga suffered a significant lateral ankle sprain on Jan. 4 and will be re-evaluated in three weeks.

Kuminga had been the team’s second-leading scorer behind Steph Curry, averaging 16.8 points per game. While his name was initially included in trade rumors involving Butler, those talks have since been dismissed.

Slater clarified the situation, writing:

“According to a source close to Butler, the Warriors are not currently seen as a viable option and there have been no substantive talks or traction to get any type of deal done… Butler’s age and injury history makes him a risky choice. His price tag makes him an untenable option.”

Kuminga is in the final year of his four-year, $24,855,347 rookie contract with Golden State.

Why the Warriors won’t trade Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins for Jimmy Butler

In a recent episode of FanDuel TV's "Run It Back", The Athletic’s Sam Amick shed light on why the Warriors aren’t willing to part with both Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins in a deal for Jimmy Butler.

“(The Warriors’) reasoning for not going after Jimmy beyond the money is that, to this point, they've been pretty happy with Andrew Wiggins' play,” Amick said (per Warriors Wire).

“And, the idea of also giving up Jonathan Kuminga...It is something they're not looking to do. The prospect of Wiggins and Kuminga going out, and Butler coming in, they didn't like how it looked for them."

Wiggins, 29, is averaging 16.4 points per game for the Warriors. Combined, Wiggins and Kuminga contribute 33.2 ppg, while Butler, at age 35, is averaging just 17.6 ppg this season.