West Notes: Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga, Suns, Jalen Green, Blazers

Warriors

Jonathan Kuminga took part in his first Warriors practice of training camp on Thursday, participating in about half of the team’s scrimmages, coach Steve Kerr said.

It was also the first time Kuminga publicly addressed his contract situation since signing a two-year, $46.8 million deal with a second-year team option.

Negotiations stretched through the summer, in part because Kuminga didn’t want to simply be a trade chip after re-signing.

Now that he’s back under contract on what many see as a tradable deal, he was asked if he believes Golden State views him as part of its long-term plans.

“I would say so,” Kuminga said, via ESPN’s Anthony Slater. “Based on me being back here. At the end of the day, let’s see where this takes us. But my focus is this year pushing and actually helping us win.

“You never know what’s going to happen, but I’m happy, glad to be back.”

As for his own desire to stay long-term, Kuminga kept his answer measured.

“I’m here now,” he said. “That’s everybody’s goal, to be somewhere for longer. You never know your future. So far that’s my goal. That’s what I want to accomplish. Being here for longer.”

Kuminga’s role has fluctuated throughout his four NBA seasons, including stretches late last year when he was a DNP-CD during the postseason.

He made it clear he wants to silence critics who label him offense-only by embracing any role needed.

“If it’s on defense, if it’s an assignment, just go guard the best player,” he said. “Today we need you to score. Today we need you to guard certain people.

“That’s what I’m looking forward to and I’m open-minded to it.”

Suns

The Suns are dealing with a couple of early training camp injuries. New guard Jalen Green has a “low grade” hamstring strain and will miss Friday’s preseason opener against the Lakers in Palm Springs, coach Jordan Ott said.

After that game, Phoenix will travel to Macao for a pair of preseason contests against the Nets on October 10 and 12.

Green will make the trip but isn’t guaranteed to play in either game.

“He’ll be with us in China,” Ott said, via Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “He’ll do what he can to see where we’re at in preseason, but we know the goal is that Oct. 22 season opener.”

Another newcomer, center Mark Williams, will also sit out the preseason opener.

Williams has participated in all non-contact drills, but the Suns are easing him back slowly after injuries limited him to 106 total games across three seasons with Charlotte.

”The goal is there at the end of camp get him as ready as he can,” Ott said. “He’s on a good path. Like I said, every drill work you’ve seen him in. Just not the live 5-on-5.”

Trail Blazers

Blazers general manager Joe Cronin walked back his July “winning time now” comment a bit this week, saying that the organization is keeping expectations realistic heading into the season.

“Do we want to make the play-in? Yes. Do we want to make the playoffs? Yes. Do we want to win 16 playoff games? Yes,” Cronin said, via Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report. “But I don’t have expectations and I won’t be disappointed if those things don’t happen as long as we’re continually growing.

“We’re still thinking big-picture with this roster.”

Jerami Grant also clarified a comment from media day earlier in the week regarding the possibility of him coming off the bench.

“I don’t really expect that,” he said on Monday.

By Thursday, he softened that stance. “I’m fine, man,” Grant said when asked about potentially not starting.