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)
- Quote:
- 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.
- Quote:
- 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.
- Sees Denver and Minnesota as true playoff threats, not just Oklahoma City:
- 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.
