Despite Jonathan Kuminga’s dissatisfaction with his fluctuating role, the Golden State Warriors are reportedly committed to keeping the young forward, seeing him as a valuable asset for the team’s future. He is viewed as untouchable ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
As per Michael Grange of SportsNet, the Warriors regard Kuminga as a future star capable of supporting Stephen Curry in the current phase and playing a key role in a post-Curry era, should that arise. They have remained unwilling to include him in a trade for Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors.
Kuminga has recently been in the news, expressing confusion and frustration over his role in the team. In an interview with Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic last month, Kuminga expressed his bewilderment, feeling uncertain about his contributions and role expectations. He emphasized his belief in his abilities as a scorer and playmaker but noted that controlling his playing time isn’t within his power.
“That’s where it’s confusing,” Kuminga told Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic last month. “Sometimes, I come out the game not knowing what I did. And that messes with my head. It’s like, ‘What they want me to do?’ I can pass and I can do different s–t … I am a difference-maker. I know I am. But it’s not up to me to do certain things. How can I say it? It’s not up to me to control my minutes. I feel like I’ve done that.
“But the last voice ain’t mine. And it’s not easy because I know how to score the basketball. I know how to pass. I know how to do different things on the floor. But it’s about putting all that together.”
Following a report by Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic, which suggested Kuminga had lost confidence in coach Steve Kerr’s guidance, particularly after being benched in the final minutes of a loss to the Denver Nuggets, Kuminga and Kerr held a one-on-one meeting.
After playing 36 minutes in a subsequent win against the Detroit Pistons, Kuminga addressed the media, clarifying that his concerns were not about playing time. He emphasized the importance of communication and mutual understanding with Kerr.
“I never complained about playing time or things like that,” Kuminga said. “We were just talking about if I do great at something, I should just go back and remind him and let him know, ‘Coach, what do I need to get better at?’ It’s more about communication and better understanding from both of us.”
In his third NBA season, Kuminga is averaging 12.8 points and 4.1 rebounds, shooting 50.6 percent from the floor. While he has displayed the talent that made him a high draft pick, his performance has been marked by inconsistency. This has led Kerr to adjust his minutes as he balances the team’s immediate goals with the development of young players like Kuminga and Moses Moody.
More must-reads: