The Golden State Warriors just hit a major roadblock. Forward Jimmy Butler tore his ACL during a win over the Miami Heat, and he’s done for the season.

It’s a massive blow to the team’s rotation and leadership.

But here’s where things get really interesting. With Butler out, you’d think the Warriors would turn to Jonathan Kuminga, right? Well, it’s complicated.

Kuminga hasn’t played since Dec. 18. He became trade-eligible on Jan. 15 after previously being restricted from any midseason moves.

And apparently, he “demanded a trade” the moment he could.

Steve Kerr, the Warriors head coach, told reporters that Kuminga “absolutely” could become a factor now that Butler’s sidelined. That comment got everyone talking – maybe Golden State would give him another shot or rethink his whole situation with the team.

But then Butler got injured, and Kuminga didn’t even get off the bench.

Not once. Even as the Warriors pulled away and the game was clearly in hand.

That decision pretty much lit up social media and deepened the whole debate about whether Kuminga has any future in Golden State.

The Playing Time Problem

Kuminga’s season has been all over the place. He started some games early on, then watched his minutes disappear before sitting out completely for over a month.

It’s left fans scratching their heads about whether he fits next to stars like Stephen Curry and, well, Butler before the injury happened.

Even with Butler out and a clear hole in the rotation, Kerr apparently still doesn’t trust Kuminga enough to put him in the game. That’s a pretty telling sign.

The trade deadline is Feb. 5, so the Warriors don’t have much time to figure this out.

What’s Kuminga Worth?

Here’s the thing – other teams are definitely interested. Kuminga’s got the tools that make scouts drool: strength, athleticism, and serious scoring potential.

For contenders who need wing depth, he’s an attractive option.

The Indiana Pacers have reportedly been watching him for a while now, waiting to see if a deal makes sense.

Decision Time for the Warriors

Golden State’s in a tough spot. They need to think about the future, but Butler’s injury means they also need help right now.

Will Kuminga get a real chance to prove himself with Butler out? Or will he become the centerpiece of a trade that brings back someone who can help the Warriors make a playoff push this season?

The clock’s ticking, and something’s got to give. One way or another, we’ll know Kuminga’s fate in the the next couple weeks.