Warriors’ Plan to Part Ways With NBA Champion Emerges

Kerr discussed his decision to leave Kuminga sitting on Sunday, saying roster competition dictated the decision.

“Happens to everyone in the league, other than the stars,” Kerr said. “Guys come in and out of the rotation, depending on who’s available, how the team is playing.

“This is how the league works. There’s always someone knocking down the door, trying to get your job.”

After the game, however, ESPN’s Anthony Slater detailed the situation as Kerr's decision brough back talk about a potential Kuminga trade before February's deadline.

“After a contentious restricted free agency, Kuminga returned on a team-friendly, tradeable structure he felt forced into accepting, league sources said at the time,” Slater wrote. “The negotiations generated bitter feelings on both sides.

“Kuminga becomes trade eligible Jan. 15. The Warriors are expected to explore the Kuminga trade market in the weeks ahead as the probability of a split before the February deadline remains strong, according to league sources.”

Kuminga, the Warriors' fourth-highest-paid player with a cap hit of $22.5 million, is in his fifth NBA season. He's averaging 12.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 17 games played this season, shooting 43.8% from the floor and 32% from three.

Speaking after Sunday's win, Kuminga said Kerr simply told him the Warriors were going in a different direction against the Bulls. The forward seemed to accept his role as long as the team keeps winning.

"I'm not really sure [how long it lasts]," Kuminga said. "But as long as things are working out there and we winning, I don't see the point of switching anything, changing. Whenever my number get called, I'll be ready.

"We've been doing good," Kuminga said. "Things are working. So, I don't see the point of taking certain people out of the rotation when we doing good, and things are going well."

The Warriors have the Minnesota Timberwolves next in the schedule, with tip-off set for Friday at 10 p.m. ET.