Podcast Summary: "What Will Warriors Do With Kuminga? + Concern Level For Knicks & Watch Out For Denver"

Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective
January 16, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode zeroes in on three hot NBA storylines:

• The public trade demand by Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors’ dilemma
• The recent struggles of the New York Knicks following their Cup win, injuries, and roster stagnation
• The Denver Nuggets’ resilience despite injuries and Western Conference playoff implications

Hosts Brian Windhorst, Bobby Marks, and Vince Goodwill blend insider analysis, locker-room stories, and front-office realities, all with their trademark candor and NBA-wonk humor.

1. The Jonathan Kuminga Trade Demand Saga

Context & Breaking News (03:00-13:36)

• Brian Windhorst sets the stage: Kumingas’s agent, Aaron Turner, discussed contract frustrations on a public podcast the previous night, and, shortly after, Kuminga officially demanded a trade. Kuminga, a healthy scratch for 13 straight games, has become the center of unusual, publicly aired contract tension.
  • Quote:
    “You’ve heard of quiet quitting. The Warriors and Kuminga have quit loudly on each other... we are talking about a player who is not playing on a team that Jimmy Butler says is mediocre and Steve Kerr says is a fading dynasty... In what world does a player demand a public trade in a situation like this, Bobby?” (03:00-04:00)
• Bobby Marks (ex-NBA exec): This tension has been building since Kuminga re-signed last October. Everyone knew the Jan 15 contract milestone was "the day."
  • Quote:
    “A marriage that has been fading for a long time and… is definitely broken right now.” (05:09)
  • Marks points out that Golden State’s front office likely has several trade frameworks in place—this isn’t a shock.
  • Teams (like Sacramento) are interested, but the Warriors may not get the return value they want; frontcourt help is the priority, though most suitors offer more guards.
• Vince Goodwill: Dissects the mismatch between Kuminga and the Warriors from Day 1.
  • Teams are often too afraid to “cut bait” and move on, unlike the NFL.
  • “This has been bad fit from the beginning. They should have never drafted his ass to begin with.” (07:25)
  • “Now I don’t feel bad for either party because this move has been… so long.” (08:12)
• On Market Value: There’s surprisingly little trade interest.
  • Windhorst notes: “The Kings are not known for being thought leaders... what does it say that people aren’t beating down the doors for this guy...” (09:50-10:25)
  • Kuminga’s play doesn’t move the needle: “They’re nine points better when he’s not on the floor.” (11:13)

Notable Moment

• Discussion of the "quiet quitting" analogy and Vince’s riff on relationships and the emotional resonance of that phrase. (08:39-09:10)
• The show highlights NBA’s fear-driven asset management and reluctance to admit draft mistakes.

Big Picture

• The consensus: The situation is unsalvageable; Warriors won’t get a premium return, and both sides are to blame.

2. New York Knicks: Post-Cup Funk and Personnel Issues

Dissecting the Knicks' Slump (15:46-20:12, 33:59-36:35)

• Windhorst brings up the post-cup hangover phenomenon:
  • Knicks have lost 6 of their last 10, mirroring struggles seen in other recent Cup champions (Lakers, Bucks).
  • Jalen Brunson’s aggravating ankle injury is a significant concern.
  • “They look slow, they don’t look quick...they don’t have the fresh legs.” (17:50, Vince)
• Bobby Marks: Knicks’ front office is boxed in financially:
  • “They’re 148,000 below the second apron. They can’t sign a 15th player until April 2nd. This is kind of who they are right now.” (18:53)
• Personnel Imbalance:
  • Julius Randle’s regression and lack of extension noted; heavy dependence on Mitchell Robinson for both ends.
  • The twin-tower pairing (Towns and Robinson) hasn't worked as planned.
  • Vince: “It just doesn’t feel good right now... Jalen Brunson is hurt... maybe it’s a bump in the road, but I don’t think you should ignore it.” (19:33)
• Windhorst’s Rule: Don’t overreact to West Coast trips, especially in January.

Team Chemistry and Off-Court Anecdotes

• The show detours into NBA travel quirks (teams choosing offbeat hotels, e.g., Rockets and Knicks in Sacramento) (20:12-21:39).
• Fun story: Mike Brown’s (Sacramento’s coach) return visit and a birthday dinner for longtime assistant Chris Gent generated some nostalgia about old Cavs connections.

3. NBA Locker Room Lore: Fights, Hallways, and Enforcers

Stories Segment (22:31-33:25)

A rapid-fire section packed with behind-the-scenes tales:

• Corey Maggetty vs. Kyle Singler: “1-2” punch story in practice, as told by Charlie Villanueva. (22:31-23:21)
• Dennis Schroder vs. Luka Doncic: Hints at an altercation in a “secret hallway” at Crypto Arena—league discipline disparities noted.
  • “These buildings got cameras in every nook and cranny... Who got the footage?” (28:30)
• Jerry Stackhouse vs. Kirk Snyder: Stackhouse went out in sweats, hit Snyder at the team bus, then changed back to his suit to avoid bloodstains.
  • “That’s some Charles Oakley stuff.” (30:08)
• Charles Oakley’s baby-handing-slap tale: Oak gently hands a player’s baby to his partner, slaps the player, and walks off—delivered with old-school flair. (30:55-32:09)
• Bobby Marks’ secret stairway story: Trying (and failing) to confront refs after a blown call against Vince Carter in 2006. (32:17-33:19)
  • Marks: “If that happened now, that executive would probably be home with his wife and kids for an extended long period of time.”

4. Denver Nuggets: Quiet Power Move in the West

Winning Without Jokic (35:56-42:42)

• Windhorst highlights Denver’s recent surge despite an unbalanced, road-heavy schedule and Jokic’s absence:
  • Peyton Watson’s emergence: averaging over 20 ppg in Jokic’s absence.
  • “They’re 6-3 since he went down. Most of those games have been on the road... The Nuggets have put themselves in tremendous position.” (36:35)
  • Jokic’s return is near.
• Doug Moe Standings Explained:
  • Unique stat for gauging “real” team strength with unbalanced schedules.
  • Road wins minus home losses; Denver is +11; Thunder are +12. (39:47-41:00)
  • Spurs, Wolves, and Thunder all grouped closely; “If Denver went on a 3-game losing streak, they’d be in the play-in.”
• Bobby Marks:
  • Depth and player development are paying off as envisioned (“their young players were going to be your infrastructure”—i.e., Peyton Watson, Pickett, etc.).
  • Christian Brown’s $100M extension; Cam Johnson’s $23M deal next year—possible cap pinch looming.
• Vince Goodwill:
  • Sees Denver and Minnesota as true playoff threats, not just Oklahoma City:
    • “The road is going to be even harder than last year... Denver is well positioned to take advantage.” (46:20)
  • NBA history: No champ in last five years has escaped second round the following season—championship hangover is real.
• Forecast:
  • “Might be time to make a hotel reservation in Denver...” (47:08)

5. Playful Banter, Production Insights, and Show Close

• NBA Today’s “A block / C block” TV programming mechanics get revealed—Jonathan Kuminga trade story gets the top treatment (13:36-14:38).
• Fun with production staff birthdays and more backroom NBA TV stories.
• The episode closes on a light note, with gratitude for producers and references to the “secret tunnel” (47:47-48:20).

Major Quotes & Timestamps

• Windhorst on the Kuminga situation:
  “The Warriors and Kuminga have quit loudly on each other...” (03:14)
• Vince Goodwill on drafting Kuminga:
  “They should have never drafted his ass to begin with.” (07:25)
• Bobby Marks on trade prep:
  “They’ve been lining up scenarios probably since the start of the season...” (06:13)
• Vince Goodwill on relationship analogies:
  “Y’all ever had a woman quiet quit? Ain’t fun.” (08:39)
• Windhorst on Denver’s resilience:
  “The Nuggets have put themselves in tremendous position.” (36:35)
• Vince Goodwill on Western Conference race:
  “Denver is well positioned to take advantage. Minnesota is well positioned to take advantage. We have to look beyond Oklahoma City and the record…” (46:20)

Key Takeaways

• The Warriors-Kuminga divorce was inevitable; both sides mishandled expectations and fit from the start.
• Knicks face structural and injury-driven issues, compounded by financial constraints; team identity and competitiveness are in flux.
• Denver is outperforming the pack despite injuries—thanks to internal development, depth, and coaching stability.
• NBA insider stories provide color, context, and a reminder of the league’s unique subculture.

For full NBA drama, front office intrigue, and a dose of NBA locker-room lore—this episode doesn’t disappoint.