Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. raised eyebrows on Tuesday when he discussed Jonathan Kuminga‘s trade demand in frank terms, telling reporters, “When there’s a demand, there needs to be a demand on the market.”
Kuminga’s agent Aaron Turner responded to Dunleavy’s remarks on social media, tweeting the definition of the “law of demand” accompanied by the following caption: “Demand is sensitive to price or playing time, So if a seller sees demand is low, lower the price point or let him play and demand will go (up).”
While it remains to be seen whether the Warriors will “lower the price point” as they explore potential Kuminga trades, they moved forward with the other half of Turner’s suggestion — following Jimmy Butler‘s season-ending ACL tear, Kuminga was back in the rotation on Tuesday for the first time in over a month. The move was a success, writes Nick Friedell of The Athletic. In 21 minutes of action, the fifth-year forward scored 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting and was a +3 in a game Golden State lost by 18 points.
“It was great,” head coach Steve Kerr said. “He came in and had great energy, attacked the rim, made some shots. I thought JK was really good and it’s a great sign. With Jimmy out, obviously there’s a hole at that spot on our roster. So JK’s gonna factor in here again and really pleased with the way he stayed ready and stayed prepared and got his opportunity and played really well.”
Veteran forward Draymond Green viewed Kuminga’s performance as a reflection of the work the 23-year-old has put in and the positive attitude he has maintained as he awaits a potential trade.
“I think we’ve all been very vocal about how he’s handled himself,” Green said, per Friedell. “He’s been incredible. And that is proven by the game he had. If you’ve been a nuisance, if you will, that game doesn’t happen for you.”
Here’s more from around the Pacific:
- Within a larger story about the situation in Golden State, Logan Murdock of The Ringer cites sources who say multiple Warriors assistant coaches have been operating under the premise that Kerr won’t be coaching the team in 2026/27. Some of those assistants have been preparing for the possibility of finding new jobs, Murdock adds, noting that veteran assistant Chris DeMarco left earlier this season for a WNBA position. To be clear, that doesn’t necessarily mean Kerr (who doesn’t have a contract for next season) has made any decisions about his future — his assistants may just be preparing contingency plans in case he decides not to return.
- Kings center Domantas Sabonis has come off the bench and averaged just 19.3 minutes per night in his first three games back following a two-month absence due to a knee injury. According to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee (Twitter links), head coach Doug Christie said on Tuesday that Sabonis’ limited role isn’t the result of an explicit minutes restriction from the medical staff and has been “decision-based.” Sabonis will sit out the second end of a back-to-back set on Wednesday vs. Toronto due to left knee injury management, Anderson adds.
- In Tuesday’s win over Denver, the Lakers looked more connected defensively than they have for much of the season, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic, who wonders if the performance is a positive sign of things to come for Los Angeles. “One of the things that makes it complicated for us is, we have a lot of guys that are going to be free agents, and we have a lot of guys that have player options for next summer, so you might as well count them as free agents,” head coach JJ Redick said. “And the tendency for any athlete when things aren’t going well … you’re naturally going to turn inward. So that’s really what our emphasis points as coaches are, just being about the group and staying connected and keep continuing to fight and play for each other.”
youi got to agree with Kuminga’s agent if you want his value to go up he got to play.You know his play last night got a little fire going under some GMs out there. Right now they are waiting until before trade deadline making a real offer.
He had better games last year. But, he didn’t always follow it up.
Some might argue that him playing actually decreases his value – if we are to base it on what we’ve seen over the last few years. All the Warriors need is one team to convince themselves of Kuminga’s potential, rather than his production.
Cam this is my opinion 100%.
Exactly what you stated here plus they will factor in that Golden State screwed up his development and that they have the magic pill that will unlock his true effective contribution to a winning team.
Quality also effects demand. The waiting list for a Ferrari is 1-3 years.
Probably time for Sacramento to end this sentimental relationship with Doug Christie as head coach. This isnt working.
Yeah, what does “decision based” mean? Wait, it’s not a minutes restriction, so does it mean that Raynaud’s minutes are more valuable?
What are they doing??
I think he is trying to get fired at this point. What the heck is the purpose of saying that about their best player/trade chip?
And just How many more Coaches do we need to go through ?? We are already the laughing stock of the NBA. No notable Coach wants to come here because of this revolving Door. We already had Malone, Brown, Karl, etc and just like that fired after the first year. No Coach is going to come in here and hand you a Championship Ring in the First year, period !! Let’s face facts, not a Damn thing is ever going to change, no matter who you bring in here as long as Vivek keeps trying to run things. Until he’s gone, nothing will change. Second, who is even out there, AVAIL. that would want this job ?? NO ONE !!
When has a team with only 4 players over 6’9″ever won anything. Firing Doug is not the answer. No good GM can fix a bad set of players. So you are saying keep doing the same old crap, fire the coach and make 9 or 10 coachs now. This team needs to stop thinking someone else can fix it. That’s the problem, enough firing this GM or coach give Doug & Perry the time. 6 months is not enough time for any coach or gm. Is the owner crap, there are a lot of owners who are crap, the owners before this one were too.
Hot take time
Mark Madsen coaches Warriors next year
If the Cavs fire their coach he is coming here. Also keep your eyes on Willie Green too.
I can’t beleive how badly they’ve mismanaged Kuminga
he was looking GREAT in the second half of last night’s game though
is everyone on here prepared for him to become a superstar now?
kerr is gone at the end of the year
kuminga is part of the warriors long term plans
learn it, live it, love it
So Kuminga is the savior now? You understand that you’ve been fantasizing trading him for Giannis for 3 months right? And that both of those things can’t happen?
Honestly they should’ve traded the draft picks. Their two timeline BS was never going to work. Lacob just had too much of an ego thinking everything he touched turns into gold.
Should’ve just tried to maximize Steph’s years when he could instead.
When Markkannen was with Bulls. I heard the same nonsense I hear now about Kuminga. I told you then. All he needed was consistency and be left alone let him grow as a player at the 4. I said the guy can rebound and will score 20 a game. He can ge a starter in this L. Just ride him and let him play.
All I got was hate and insults. He sucks, he’s trash, he’s a bust, never be anything. He’s not a 4. He’s soft. And on and on.. ….. Then he got traded and got maxed out ……,,, 😳😳
Then when Wiggins went to GS. I got the same nonsense. He’s thru, he’s a bust, he is washed. He doesn’t play D. He sucks …. I said he is a hOF player that only needs a place to believe in. He can learn to win in GS. He’s never done it before………
Sure enough. He played to a title and was their second best player …. On that chip run. 😳😱😱
Now it’s Kuminga. And now some of the same posters are telling me the same nonsense Again …..,,,,
So again. I am telling you. He leaves GS he will be a starter and put up 20 a game. If GS just plays him and lives with the results. 30 mins a game he will put up 20. And become a better all around player in time.
So don’t listen to me. Just like the other two times. Kuminga will prove me right. Draft night I called him best 2way player in draft. I still believe he can achieve that. I’m a believer. I see talent. I look for how he can thrive. Most of you here. Look at how he can fail. Again — time is on my side —. Yes it is. thank you Mick.
😳😳😡😱🤫🤫
he put up 20 in 21 mins last night…like, what if he’s actually elite now?
He plays 32 mins he scores 30 …, just play him. Let him make mistakes ….
Exactly my thoughts!!!
Just fr the record, “Time Is On My Side” is not completely a Rolling Stones song, though they’re most noted for it. It was written by Jerry Ragovoy (using the pseudonym “Norman Meade”). First recorded by jazz trombonist Kai Winding and his orchestra in 1963, it was covered (with additional lyrics by Jimmy Norman) by both soul singer Irma Thomas and later the Rolling Stones in 1964.
But that looks line is all Mick …… yes it is
That line ———. Not looks sorry
Too true, too true Mr Turner!
Everything in this world sells quickly at the right price!
The demand for a player like Kuminga is gotta be huge, the highest for any player in GSW that is for sure… but the problem as always is the team, if you don’t play him and treat him like trash, then… how dare you expect to get a star’s return for him?!?!?
Right now Kuminga is a potential all-star but GSW needs to sweeten a deal to trade him as they have sucked all his value!
GSW is gotta be one of the worst run teams in the league as a matter of fact!