Despite how that offseason went, the Warriors aren’t getting rid of Jonathan Kuminga that easily. From his no-show at the official media day to his sudden $48.5 million U-turn, the forward finally spoke to the media today.

When pressed about his future, Kuminga paused momentarily before answering: “That’s everybody’s goal to be somewhere for longer. You never know (how) your future will be determined, but so far I think that’s my goal and that’s what I want to accomplish, just being here for long.”

Kuminga’s dissatisfaction with the holdout was that he wanted to be on a team to which he could positively contribute. He didn’t fit Steve Kerr’s Stephen Curry-centric style, significantly reducing minutes and friction with the head coach and front office.

Despite the situation, the front office refused all trade offers, primarily because co-owner Joe Lacob values Kuminga as a potential cornerstone and a trade chip whose value could rise deeper into the season. Still, league insiders expect the 22-year-old to be moved at some point, which makes his words- and the hesitation before them- all the more telling.

The 22-year-old’s almost borrowing words from Curry, who’s been positively campaigning for JK’s return. But his words nearly seem like a jab to the coach and the front office. Given that the team insisted on his offers with a team option, it’s like him saying they wanted him here so that he would stay.

That is a blessing in disguise- for the team. Unless Kerr underplays Kuminga once more, and the desire to leave reappears. It also depends on the possibility of a spot opening in another team as the season progresses because league-wide teams are adapting to Kuminga’s contract.

Jonathan Kuminga’s long-term plans are still uncertain

Despite signing a two-year, $48.5 million deal, there’s still doubt whether Kuminga is willing to contribute to the team, irrespective of whether he fits Kerr’s strategy. Stephen Curry had been assuring all week, including on media day, when he revealed he had a private conversation with JK and “that he’ll be committed when he gets here.”

Analysts and former NBA players were predicting a trade. For most of the season, the Sacramento Kings and the Phoenix Suns were the frontrunners in getting Kuminga. But the Warriors’ signing of Al Horford meant they didn’t need Malik Monk from the Kings, and the Suns had already traded the pieces they could to other teams.

But the Suns still have Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green, who have equal trade value to Kuminga. According to some insiders, there is a high possibility that Kuminga could be traded to the Suns for one of them mid-season when the returns are higher.

If that happens, the other team would have to decline the team option and sign the forward to a multi-year deal in that same range as his current contract. Brook’s base salary of $21 million to Kuminga’s $24 million would be the most viable option before the 2026 trade deadline.

Someone must cough up draft picks or another player to equalize the trade. Someone even threw in a possible reunion with Andrew Wiggins if he’s sent to the Miami Heat later in the season.

All signs point to JK and the front office figuring out a mutually beneficial trade option before February 5, 2026. However, he also told the media on Thursday that the team wants him around “long term,” which makes him positive to contribute meaningfully to the championship aspirations if Steve Kerr allows.