Jimmy Butler shares sound advice to Jonathan Kuminga as trade deadline looms originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Jimmy Butler continues to be a mentor for Jonathan Kuminga both on and off the court.

So as Kuminga continues to maneuver what’s likely to be his impending Warriors divorce, Butler will remain by his side regardless of the outcome. Butler told reporters after the Warriors’ win over the Utah Jazz on Saturday that their relationship hasn’t changed at all despite Kuminga being out of coach Steve Kerr’s rotation lately.

“Same. He better come to my house tonight and eat dinner, play some dominoes,” Butler said (h/t ESPN’s Anthony Slater). “That is my brother, so I care less if you’re out of the rotation. We hang out. That’s my friend, That’s my brother. That’s not going to change.

“Basketball is basketball. I love him like a brother and I wish him the best. And I still see him in here getting his work in, so his mind’s right.”

Kuminga has been benched or played limited minutes over the past few weeks as the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline approaches. Now more than ever, his future with Golden State is uncertain.

The 23-year-old wing can’t be dealt until Jan. 15, and several reports indicate that a move is in the works.

Regardless, that doesn’t change anything for Butler and his relationship with Kuminga.

“That ain’t got nothing to do with me,” Butler said. “I’m still going to call and check on him. I’m still going to go visit him, still go to his house, eat his food and play with his kids. His future, though, that’s between him and whoever else. But the bond and the brotherhood that we’ve built, ain’t no future going to change that.”

Kuminga started the first 12 games of the 2025-26 NBA season, but has played only six times since. He’s averaging 11.3 points on 43.1-percent shooting from the field and 32.0 percent from 3-point range. He hasn’t played in 10 of the past 11 games.

Butler was asked about whether he sees the uncertainty of Kuminga’s future weighing on him.

“Nope. Not at all,” Butler said. “I told JK, you come in here and be a pro of all pros. Come here and get your work done. You smile. You have a good time because you’re still an NBA player. You’re one of the best people in the world and I’m not even talking about basketball. So you keep smiling, you keep being the great human being that you are.”

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