The Golden State Warriors are no strangers to big moves, and with the NBA trade deadline fast approaching on February 6, the franchise is reportedly gearing up for another splash.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, general manager Mike Dunleavy and his team are actively searching for a star player to complement franchise cornerstones Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
“I’m told that the Warriors are on the real hunt for a star, a playmaker, a scorer alongside Stephen Curry,” Charania revealed during an appearance on “NBA Today.”
The Warriors have already pursued marquee names such as Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz and Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers, but neither deal materialized.
Despite those missed opportunities, Golden State’s offseason acquisitions have provided a boost. New additions such as Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson, De’Anthony Melton and Lindy Waters have each contributed in different ways through the first 21 games of the 2024/25 season. But for a team with championship aspirations, the hunt for a “third star” is far from over.
Is Jonathan Kuminga the missing piece?
While the Warriors are eyeing outside talent, they may not have to look far to find their next big contributor. Jonathan Kuminga, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, is showing signs of a breakout.
On Thursday night, the 22-year-old forward exploded for a career-high 33 points in a 99-93 victory over the Houston Rockets. The performance raised questions about whether Kuminga could be the third star the Warriors have been searching for.
“The debate with the Warriors and teams that look into that situation is, for them, are they going to find that externally, outside of this roster currently? Or will it be in-house, with a player like Jonathan Kuminga?” Charania explained.
Kuminga’s development has been under close observation by Warriors officials, especially his relationship with head coach Steve Kerr. Charania noted that when Kuminga’s role increases, his production follows, suggesting that he could be ready for a larger role within the team.
But consistency remains the question mark. While his 33-point explosion against Houston was a statement, Kuminga’s performance has been uneven.
