It was an eventful Thursday in the Bay Area, where the day began with forward Jonathan Kuminga issuing a trade demand and wrapped up with a 126-113 victory over a New York team missing star point guard Jalen Brunson. After the win, head coach Steve Kerr and the Warriors‘ veteran stars made it clear that they don’t view the Kuminga situation as a distraction.
“Jonathan’s a great young guy,” Kerr said, according to Nick Friedell of The Athletic. “His teammates like him. He’s handling himself well. There won’t be a distraction.”
“Everyone around here can confidently say it won’t be a distraction because he is not a distraction,” forward Draymond Green told reporters, including ESPN’s Anthony Slater.
Two-time MVP Stephen Curry and six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler each conveyed a similar sentiment. Curry indicated that he’s focused on winning games and that the Kuminga situation will “resolve itself one way or the other.” Butler said his teammates “love JK,” adding that won’t change if he’s traded. Asked whether he wants to see the Warriors grant Kuminga’s trade request, Butler shut down the line of questioning, suggesting it wasn’t his place to weigh in.
“Hey, hey, hey, hey,” Butler said, per Slater. “It ain’t got nothing to do with me. I want JK to be happy. At the end of the day, that’s what I want. Whatever brings him his joy and his happiness, that’s what I want.”
Kuminga, the seventh overall pick in the 2021 draft, appeared to be on the verge of a breakout when he averaged 16.1 points per game and shot 52.9% from the field in 74 games in 2023/24. However, he missed significant time due to an ankle injury in ’24/25 and was held out of the rotation in several key games at the end of the season and in the postseason.
After a protracted restricted free agency standoff that saw him re-sign with the Warriors on a two-year, $46.8MM deal that includes a second-year team option, Kuminga opened this season in the starting lineup and played well, earning kudos from Kerr. But when the fifth-year forward and Golden State began to struggle and he dealt with another injury (this one affecting his knee), Kuminga was removed from the starting five and then taken out of the rotation altogether.
Although the 23-year-old hasn’t played in 14 consecutive games (and 17 of the past 18), Kerr insisted on Thursday that his relationship with Kuminga isn’t acrimonious, as Friedell relays.
“Our relationship is fine,” Kerr said. “There’s not a whole lot I can say about the other stuff. Just is what it is, a difficult situation for everybody. Part of this league, part of the job. So we just keep moving forward, but tough situation. I don’t really have much to add.”
As we outlined on Thursday, the Kings remain very much in the mix for Kuminga, though they’re not willing to offer as strong a package as they did during the offseason. The Lakers and Mavericks are among the other teams rumored to have some level of interest. Golden State has until February 5 to make a deal, and if Kuminga does get moved, Green is optimistic about his teammate’s ability to “reach his full potential” with his new team.
“Wherever that is in this league, it’s not always how we envision it,” Green said, per Friedell. “I’ve been so lucky and fortunate to play in one place for 14 years. How rare is that though? The reality is it’s more likely that it happens the opposite way than the way it’s going for myself or Steph, Klay (Thompson). 13, 14 years in one spot, it just doesn’t happen.
“So for a guy like that who’s drafted (with) the seventh pick, you expect it all to go the way you want it to go, the way you think it should go. And sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. But that doesn’t make him any worse of a player. That doesn’t make this any worse of an organization. Sometimes things just don’t work out.
“… But I know how talented he is, I know how good of a teammate he is, I know how good of a person he is. And usually when you have those three things going for you, it works out in the end. So I have zero doubt that no matter what happens with him, whether it’s here or anywhere else, it’s going to work out for him in the end because he works his tail off and he’s a great person and a great teammate. And things work for those guys.”
Dude just thinks he is better than what he is. Man life has a way of humbling each and every person.
I wish I could get humbled with 45 million over 2 years lol
He thinks he’s better than he is? Or GS misinterpreted his value? If he has signed the QO, still didn’t get playing time, and then asked for a trade – it would still be humbling for him?
The entire reason he wanted GS to pay him is because he knew Kerr wouldn’t play him, then they would have to trade him to somewhere that actually wants him enough to get a deal done.
Seems like it’s playing out exactly how JK and co. wanted it to.
This.
He’s getting paid well, and it would be very surprising if he is still a Warrior at the deadline.
I’ll ask the same question we asked this summer. What is JK elite at? The man has played 5k minutes. Playoffs minutes. Started and he is still not elite at one thing. Many of the people show you haven’t played basketball and you just say anything on their mind. So if JK had a mid range, solid d, Lock down defender he wouldn’t be playing. Na he doesn’t have role. There is no trade market for him because nobody really wants him or pay him. Those are facts. @washington_bonercats come back with analysis. You never do because you don’t speak basketball. He got paid he won’t get paid again. He is not a number 1,2 or 3 option. So you would pay a number 4 or 5 25 million a year? Na he will get traded and at this point I don’t see him thriving any more than he is right now? What role is he going to play on? What team?
Jesus dude you are so incredibly dense. How in the world have you taken anything Ive said in the last 3 months as a celebration of Kuminga’s ability? Nobody cares that you played ball for a season and a half as bench guy. Congrats. There’s a reason why players aren’t running the FO. You prove that every chance you get.
You said Kuminga got humbled. When the reality is he got paid and is about to leave Golden State (you know, EXACTLY WTF HE WANTED?!?)
I have talked about Kuminga more than 80% of the community. I encourage you to go back and read my opinions before you start deciding what they are for yourself. Dolt.
There you go again money is not an accomplishment in life. Is he playing? Money comes and goes. You’re ultimately trying to play so he is being humbled . He has no value as a player. He valued his game more than it’s valued in NBA circles. GS was always going to keep around 15-20 million. That was for them not for him. Then need the contract to trade they are over the cap and can’t sign the players they need. So what are you talking about. It’s funny you say I’m dense yet I always speak with game analysis. Reading comprehension is not your best. I said he is being humbled and EVERY GETS HUMBLED IN LIKE. So if you have not been humbled in a spot in your life keep living you will. Just I and ever other person on this board.
I think almost everyone would agree that a person that was born into a poor family in the Congo making 10s of millions of dollars playing NBA basketball is an accomplishment.
Of course Making the NBA is a accomplishment. We are talking about accomplishments in the NBA. Two different things
Kuminga needs to go. He should want out of this mess. Makes no sense why Warriors have prolonged this. Asking out is his way of making sure something gets done this TD. Warriors have waited too long. The procrastinating will work against them. As it is already showing. By Kuminga demanding a trade. Not a big market out there now. Can only hope someone still believes in his talent and upside.
Warriors are 7-3 over their last 10 and 4 games over .500, just 5 wins behind the Nuggets and Spurs, two awesome teams. They lost winnable games due entirely to Kerr playing worse players than Kuminga, like GP2 and Podz. Kuminga is a great player and I kind of want GSW to keep him as long as they get rid of Kerr at the end of the year and bring in someone who understands the modern 2025-onwards game, which is 100% NEVER smallball.
The Kuminga “problem” is entirely to do with Kerr’s obsession with playing 4 under 6’5″ guys at the same time. Kuminga doesn’t play well with smallball, ergo, Kerr hates him. But smallball hasn’t won a damn game since 2022. Kerr keeps playing under 6’5″ guys at the SF position and it does not work defensively, period.
Thats the point Davey. He doesn’t fit Kerrs offense. So why keep him this long. Warriors with a decent trade upgrade. With a good trade. They could be a good playoff team. With their experience makes them dangerous. My point has always been why wait.
Because this won’t be Kerr’s team much longer, his contract is up, the players themselves have openly said he isn’t communicating well anymore, 10 of their 19 losses could have easily been prevented had Kerr not used smallball and everyone knows it, and then there’s the “playing 6’1″ undrafted, euroleague-level guys over first round picks” thing.
“Kerr’s offense” is literally just Steph playing off ball. Kuminga being there with Curry playing off ball is too complicated, GSW should just be Curry at the point+4 bigs, including Kuminga. Which leads me to my next thought: if Curry slows down as in “cant run a 26 mile marathon every game playing off ball anymore” wouldn’t it make sense to have him play on-ball, in the traditional PG role? I think the next coach should run that. Lets see a different look from our GOAT?
On warriors radio yesterday they were saying Kerr will retire at the end of season.
Arc on my “poster tier list” you will be a strong A-grade tier if you called GSW keeping Kuminga and lets Kerr walk and then hires a guy who will build around Kuminga next season. Literally no one on here was saying that besides you. If it ends up happening…you are a top tier rumors poster…
Even if Kerr leaves. Kuminga with Jimmy there is not a good fit. And he is too expensive as a backup. JK isn’t going to trust the Warriors anymore. He wants to start somewhere. Jimmy isn’t going anywhere soon. Better to get a better fit. Or a young player and picks.
He hates playing the 4 and doing the dirty work lol.
He wants to score and grow his game.
Al, show me a link where he says that. It’s so WEIRD how many posters on here straight up make up quotes by players that never happened.
As it stands, Kuminga has been nothing but professional here. Cant say the same for Kerr.
The problem is nobody is offering anything for him warriors made a mistake by not playing him. Now it got out he faked an injury for a game without Curry and Butler playing a few weeks ago. The Nets said they do not want him for MPJ so that trade is not happening. Teams are only offering their bad contracts for him. Warriors need to play him to get his value up to be worth trading.
Warriors had their chances. None of that matters. Feb 5 is coming. Warriors have a trade with Kuminga to get better. That’s what your focus should be. You are right the market is down now. Can’t blame teams for wanting to buy low. Kuminga is young still. in right system is valued to a few teams. Warriors can get on three way and get value . Point is he has to go. Warriors can’t upgrade any other way. Can’t blow another playoff run.
Looks like the kings are trying to get monk trade value up so they can trade him in a 3 way for Kuminga. Now that MPJ is out of the running for Kuminga in a trade things should open up. I just hope they are not stuck on getting some out of their price range player like Murphy.
Kuminga with Murray doesn’t work for me. Don’t get why Kings would want JK. Murphy is a better fit for Warriors. He will take more than JK. Murphy is a better fit than MPJ. Plays both ways. Makes less money. And is locked in for next three yrs.
Kings don’t want trade Muarry and build around him but he has injury history so not the best player to sign a max extension.
I’m sure teams around the league have already set their opinions of Kuminga based on the last 4 years. Other than to confirm that he is healthy, playing some backup minutes over just a few weeks will not do anything positive for his trade value at this point.
Only way to get his value up is to play him. Now the warriors need to wait out until trade deadline and sell low on him.
Why do y’all keep saying this. He has played over 4k minutes. What more do you need to see. He is a Jack of all trades. Is he a NBA player? Yes. Can he fill a role yes. But he has not realized he is not a star he is a 4 or 5th option.
Warriors are getting low balled on offers for him and you can’t blame other teams for it. They need to prove he wants to be the player he thinks he is.
I keep seeing this phrase on here “the player he thinks he is” which is so odd. Has he ever said anything like that? Podz literally has said he thinks Podz is Steph or basketball Ohtani, but yall never bring that up? Because Kerr loves Podz and gives him unlimited minutes, top 4 MPG on the team, when he is not the top 4 most talented. Kuminga gets DNP’d after 1 bad game. Podz has a bad one and he gets huge minutes the next one. Big problem right there.
Podz has been in the league 2.5 seasons, and is clearly improving (currently he’s shooting his career high 47%/41%/76% splits, he’s a good rebounder for his size, and is good at taking charges).
He’s 4th in minutes and 4th in ppg, 5th in rpg, 4th in apg, 4th in spg, and 3rd in VORP.
Compared to Moody after 4.5 years shooting his career low fg% overall, and stuck at 3 rpg/1.5 apg with 1 TO pg, Podz is a keeper.
I never Heard or seen JK say these things they say he said or wants. I know he’s upset. So who wouldn’t be. If you were treated like him. I still don’t get what happened. He was hurt with his knee. Then came back and didn’t play well. Then he was on the outs. If you don’t want the guy. Then why is he still on team. Warriors, Kerr have not handled this well.
Still has plenty of upside to me. Needs to get out of there. Lakers should be looking at him. They might get him cheap.
I don’t think they will get him for cheap, but you are right, that’s exactly the type of SF they need to bring in to accent Luka better. They also need to get rid of both Lebron and Reaves, as that’s a bad fit.
If Kuminga is a 3 then I’m married to miss USA
Reallytell us what he is at a long 6’7” 225 lbs.
Bron has been aSF his whole career at 6’8” 245lbs.
Jaden McDaniels 6’9” 200 lbs
Brandon Miller a long 6’ 7”205 lbs.
Please teall us …..
Al – you believe in this kid apparently more than anyone else here. If you’re telling me the kid’s not athletic 4, then you’re watching the tape with a blindfold on.
The way the market is now. Most teams are looking on the cheap. Like I said his youth and upside will be appealing to someone.
I agree – as poorly as Post is playing putting up negative +/- numbers with the starters, Kerr playing him couldn’t make the team worse.
I rather see Kuminga out there than Spencer.
Kuminga literally leads the team in rebounds per game and got a DNP as Scottie Barnes, his usual opponent when he plays Toronto, grabbed 25 (!) boards. In cases like that, where there is a very similar-type of player like Barnes is, Kuminga should be in there for defensive reasons. Last night Kerr still played Will Richard and Podz at the SF position. He is never going to deviate from this plan, which is bad coaching, as the opp coach knows what he will do and can plan for it.
Podz was a +22 last night Davey. Warriors were getting smoked in the 1st quarter without him on the floor
No point in arguing. They say Kerr is a bad coach but he has gotten a lot out of players. Podz is better then JK at this point. Anyone who has played ball can see this. Yet they like to use stats whenever they want to but when you mentioned JK’s played 5k minutes and still has no defined still or something that can keep him on the court. They just make their own narratives
Thats the dubs fans narrative here. Its either you roll with their narrative or stick with facts.
But if you throw facts at them, theyll call you a hater.
Dubs fans are the most delusional and toxic fanbase.
It’s hard for them to accept the window is closing.
Just can’t take constructive criticism or any criticism really.
This dork can’t speak without telling everyone he used to play. All while ignoring the sad reality of what leads someone to these boards after “playing”
Haha said nothing about me in my post. Yet you didn’t give any analysis on your ponts just rage bait with your opinion. I actually respect AL as a poster I’ve said this. We may not agree and go back in forth but at least he gives game knowledge. I must have struck a nerve with you my guy. Rent free!!!!!!!!
Podz is actually playing pretty well, despite not fitting the system at all…good for his trade value!!
1 game samples….eyeroll…
It’s distracting me!
Warriors guys love the +/- stuff lol
Not a fan of that at all. Cause it’s based on 5 guys. Who are the other 4 guys. If you close out a game with 5 guys (6 mins). Then its telling. For those 6 mins.
Not true at all Plus minus is the best indication of a player on a playoff team. If you’re a negative on the floor then your not impacting winning. I don’t count stats or anything on losing team. The eye test is the only indicator.
+/- is based on five players on the floor. Not one player. I tells you something about those 5 players. Then if you change two players. It tells about them and other players. Doesn’t track one. It’s the impact of him plus the other 4 playing with him.
It will show something if you change the one player around to see his impact. Not a great indicator to me. I can tell who’s impacting game by watching the game. On D or O. Stats don’t tell whole story.
It’s not the full story but it’s telling. You have routataion so by mid point it tells you what works and who works. Your obviously not just looking at plus minus but that with film. In the film room it’s all broken down by Coaches. Miss rebounds miss defensive assignments that leads to scores. For example Lakers:
LeBron-AR-Luka are a negative -22
Ar-Luka are +12
Ar-Lebron -13
Luka-Lebron -12 as of last night.
That +/- showed LeBron is a negative on the floor it’s a playoff team. So it shows that the 3 of them is a losing line up over the full season.
+/- is important to a playoff team. No stat tell the full story. If I avg 25 points on a losing team. It doesn’t mean I’m nice and can Avg that playing winning basketball. Someone has to shoot the ball. So you are correct, but no state tells the complete story. States on winning teams do.
You can use it all you want. I don’t a need a stat that tracks 5 players. To tell me about ONE player. Ofcourse if you track your starting 5. Who could play 22 mins or more together 28 mins. Then it does tell you something Onlybthe team you are playing will also have a say. I rather trust my eye and instincts. Yet I will look at all stats.
*/- to me isn’t a big stat. I’m coach I know my best defensive team for all matchups. And who to play for certain matchups when I got guys in foul trouble or out. As a coach you should know your top D guys as a unit or individually. Its not offense like riding a hot hand. D is all effort and IQ. Not all 3s can guard 1s. Not all 3s can guard 4s. In this age of wing offenses. +/- ain’t telling you that. ..
You don’t Coach professional basketball because if you did you would be using plus and minus that’s all good for college and for high school because there’s not a trade deadline there’s not free agency. There’s not all these other things that allow you to adjust the lineup that you have or the team that you have once you have a certain team. If you’re coaching high School or au, that’s pretty much your team. So you’re right, it is a worthless stat at that level
What does that have to do with it. We don’t come here to talk about Little league or college ball. Stats are tools. Not the gospel. If you don’t know what stats mean to you. Then you are still learning the game.
The pro level is where you need your eyes and mind, knowledge. This is where it counts for millions of dollars. Only thing I see outside of NBA. Is talent trying to get there. You can use any tool you want. Don’t expect others to feel the same way.