Jonathan Kuminga is expected to rejoin the rotation when the Warriors resume their schedule on Thursday in Phoenix following a three-day break, head coach Steve Kerr indicated today.
“You definitely want to see how guys respond in practice,” Kerr said. “And I can tell you, JK, has been great this last week as he’s been out of the rotation. He’s working really hard, and I’m going to reward that.”
It has been a roller coaster of a season so far for Kuminga, who played so well through his first five games as a starter that Kerr publicly declared he would remain in the lineup for the foreseeable future. However, he cooled off and was moved to the second unit a couple weeks later, then missed seven consecutive games due to knee issues.
After returning to action in late November, Kuminga appeared in four games in a row, earning another start on December 6 in Cleveland, but he made just 1-of-10 shots from the floor in that contest and has been a DNP-CD in each of Golden State’s past three games.
Kerr said on Tuesday that he’d like to stick with his current starting five of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, Moses Moody, and Quinten Post for now, barring an injury, so Kuminga figures to come off the bench on Thursday.
Kuminga’s status is worth keeping a close eye on, since the former No. 7 overall pick figures to be one of the NBA’s top trade candidates at this season’s deadline. He’ll become eligible to be dealt as of January 15.
Through his first 17 games (13 starts) this season, Kuminga is averaging 12.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 25.6 minutes per night, with a .438/.320/.741 shooting line. That 43.8% shooting mark is the lowest of his career, while his 2.5 turnovers per game represent a career high by a significant margin.
To showcase him, clearly.
Yup,
If he plays well, I would be willing to put cash down on him finishing the season somewhere else.
Bucks GM Horst to W’s GM Dunleavy:
“You’re not playing Kuminga; why would we want him?”
The Bucks rejected a trade for Curry a year before they drafted Giannis. Curry was on the bench a lot.
So why was he out of the rotation despite being the team leader in rebounds?
Why did Kerr think Melton and Podz were going to be able to handle Randle and Gobbert?
Wow, Davey asks a question that the “greatest Warriors fan” should easily know. The Warriors offense is built around passing and looking for the open man. Kuminga started the season doing that. But, he reverted to taking bad shots and turning the ball over.
The real question is whether the W’s can make the play-in with a record just below .500
That’s where they are; that’s where they are headed…
You said they wouldn’t be a playin team last year. I assume you’ll be wrong again.
This story just keeps writing itself. Kardashians reality show of the NBA, oh wait….
I bet you are into the “Real Housewives” also.
You got sisters, a mother, daughter? I can’t even escape the Kardashians with watching the NBA.
They have better taste.
At the end of the day, Kuminga saga is demoralizing for the players, FO, Lacob and other players in the league.
Hopefully, Kerr’s heart is in the right place, trying to end Kuminga’s Warriors career in a good note, help Kuminga’s image, and not derail his career.
i also wonmder if Lacob said play Kuminga or else to kerr. Kerr wake up call that small ball doesn’t work anymore.
An owner dictating minutes. The Warriors will be a guaranteed lottery team.
If only this were true.
instead of who minutes he will take lets just say Podz is the guy who needs his minutes cut to 20 or less. moody minutes cut too. buddy should be cut way low to around 12 minutes a game. TJD ride the bench unless its garbage time. there is enough for Kuminga to get 25 minutes a game.