In a thoroughly reported, in-depth story for ESPN.com, Anthony Slater takes a last look at the four-and-a-half year relationship between Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors, examining how the relationship between the two sides deteriorated and devolved into a series of “petty” gripes and grievances in its final months.
While it would be an oversimplification to say that Kuminga’s time in Golden State was doomed from the start, the decision to draft him with the seventh overall pick in 2021 instead of Franz Wagner became a “central tension point” throughout the organization, Slater writes.
With Steve Kerr preparing Team USA for the Olympics during the summer of 2021 and not overly involved in the pre-draft process, team sources tell ESPN that several members of Golden State’s coaching staff attended Wagner’s workout with the Warriors and came away feeling as if the eventual Magic forward would fit better into Kerr’s system than Kuminga would.
However, that wasn’t the consensus among the team’s decision-makers. Team owner Joe Lacob known to be among those who preferred Kuminga, according to Slater, who says the Kuminga pick became a “signature example” of Lacob’s involvement in personnel moves during the post-Kevin Durant years.
Some team sources who spoke to ESPN suggested that Lacob’s attachment to Kuminga in subsequent years – and his reluctance to include him in trade packages – was connected to his desire to be proven right about his initial belief in the forward. Others insist the Warriors’ decision not to trade Kuminga until last week was about much more than just Lacob’s preferences.
“Joe gets outsized blame,” one source told Slater. “Complex situation. There was a ton of indecision (from several people).”
Slater’s report putting a bow on the Kuminga era in Golden State is worth reading in full if you’re a Warriors fan. Here are a few more highlights:
- Kuminga and his agent Aaron Turner believed Kerr and the Warriors were constantly taking subtle “pokes” at the forward in media sessions, according to Slater. For example, after the 23-year-old received his first DNP-CD of the season in December, Kerr explained the move by saying, “Happens to everyone in the league, other than the stars.” Kuminga, who has long believed he can be a star if given the opportunity, viewed the remark as an unnecessary reminder that Kerr didn’t necessarily share that belief. “That’s the s–t I’m talking about,” Kuminga said. “Why’s he gotta say that?”
- Kerr frequently cited high-level role players like Shawn Marion and Aaron Gordon as comparables for Kuminga, while the forward believed he was better suited for more a featured offensive role and was frustrated that the team didn’t trust him and give him more on-ball opportunities. According to Slater, Kerr and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. pointed to Kuminga’s lower efficiency numbers in isolation and mid-range situations and accused Kuminga’s camp of having him work on “the wrong things” away from the team facility.
- During Kuminga’s long stretch of DNP-CDs in December and January of this season, he began packing up his belongings at his Bay Area home in preparation for a trade and also declined four opportunities to take the court, sources tell ESPN. As Slater explains, the Warriors asked Kuminga to check in during three garbage-time situations and wanted him to play in a January 2 game vs. Oklahoma City when Golden State was missing several regulars.
- Members of the Warriors’ coaching staff and front office viewed Kuminga’s refusal to play in those situations as a sign that he’d quit on the team, per Slater. Kuminga, in turn, believed the team had already quit on him and regarded the request for him to play in a nationally televised game against the defending champs after a month of inactivity as “a recipe to shame him.”
- While some Warriors players “expressed their annoyances” about the Kuminga saga, the 23-year-old considered Jimmy Butler a true mentor. Sources tell ESPN that Butler expressed a belief that there was a double standard within the organization in the way Kuminga was treated relative to other players.
If you read the whole piece, it’s really, REALLY hard to see the Warriors in a positive light here. That could just be the bias it’s written with, but still.
I went from the somewhat-of-a-copout 50/50 blame, then to 75-25 on Kuminga (thanks to a commenter on this platform), then to 55 on Kuminga (you evolve to fit what the team wants/needs you to do; if you don’t like it, then you try leave come first chance), 20 on Lacob (leave the draft selections to the guys who know better), 15 on Kerr and the coaching staff (you guys didn’t give Kuminga enough space to grow and make mistakes; although, you could deflect some of their blame onto the surprisingly successful ‘22 season), 10 on Dunleavy for trading for a guy (Jimmy) who further reduced JK’s role.
The problem with Steve Kerr comparing Jonathan Kuminga to Shawn Marion and Andre Iguodala—and wanting him to accept a complementary role—is that Marion and Iguodala joined the Warriors after they were already established starters who had been the number one and number two offensive options on other teams. When they joined Golden State, they were closer to 30 years old and had started to decline slightly, making them better suited to be the third or fourth option while doing all the other things. They had their opportunity to be starters and main offensive players. They’d already proven themselves.
Jonathan Kuminga is a high draft pick still looking for an opportunity to make a name for himself. I’m sure he wants to win, but he also wants to establish himself as a star. Asking him to play a role behind seasoned veterans who have already won championships and made their names doesn’t really seem fair.
At what point will the Warriors give him an opportunity to be the number one option? What age will he be by then? And will he still be there, or will his loyalty have run out waiting for a chance that Marion and Iguodala already had before they ever became complementary players.
I just found it enlightening to see how they didn’t really draft based on how the coach and team was constructed, but rather what Lacob envisioned. “Light Years”
But we’ve all seen quotes from Lacob how he didn’t think Curry would continue to be this good so late in his career back when they drafted Wiseman and Kuminga.
The Wiseman pick was also Lacob
Actually the Wiseman pick was Kirk Lacob (Kerr/Myers/Joe wanted Haliburton after working him out).
So who exactly is the boss?
Thank you the clarity. Details matter
Both were at fault but his agent filling his head with you are worth $150 million before he proved he was worth it is what turned it real bad. Lacob’s fault for sticking his nose into who should be drafted. So much blame to go all around.
The guy that wrote the article writes about the Warriors and covers them. That’s his job so there’s no bias against the Warriors.
Steve Kerr…. Nobody really wants to give him credit for his F-ups, but break out the knee pads for his team’s success (Curry deserves the knee pad treatment). He’s smart, understands the role of the white guy in the 90’s, and plays activist like Beethoven… he’s a survivor but a moron who deserves whatever comes his way. Go Lakers
Thank you! Tell me the player Kerr has developed. He was the right coach for the Warriors when he took over for Mark Jackson. Curry would be great no matter what, but I’m not sure Kerr would have done right by Klay or Green their 1st year or 2. Maybe JK won’t amount to anything, but just because Kerr couldn’t develop him doesn’t mean he can’t still be a hell of a player.
Luke isn’t biased. He gives you facts. Even giving other writers, stories are facts.
Please don’t forget that Kuminga had a high usage rate with the Warriors. He had trouble fulfilling his role, really it doesn’t seem any bigger than that
Kuminga still leads this season’s Warriors in rebounds per game – he isn’t a bad player by any metric, but this absolutely plays into my “Kerr playing him in rotations that will not work (JK plus 4 SGs)” theory.
Bucks are doing to Giannis what GSW did to JK.
The need to win now is what messed this relationship up. Kuminga and Wiseman should have done two yrs in G-league lol.
You arent wrong! Poole got his game right in the g league, the others should have spent more time there too. However, GSW has Nick Kerr down there and he likely is as bad as his dad lol
watch your language,Davey!
This is how we know Steve is evil – he named his kid that on purpose!!! FIRE STEVE KERR NOW!!
Lmfao Larry!!
AL you could argue the way the roster was constructed and that each player had considerable room for physical growth (weight to put on). Learn the system with less pressure and playing with guys their age. And even just one year for each would have given them more time to get the IQ part of the game down. I really cant tell you whose wrong here. Just that as a fan. That’s a #2 and #7 we wasted. But i dont blame the kids. I blame the owner mostly. Don’t be Al Davis
Wiseman didn’t even play college ball. He sat most of the year. 19 yr olds aren’t ready to play. Much less lead you to the playoffs. It’s up to management and the coaches to do right by players and team. You can’t rush the process. I agree those are high picks. So you don’t want to mess them up.
Ok it didn’t work for either side. We all knew that, can we please stop talking about Kuminga and Warriors. You got two years out of this for content. Let’s move on
I’m a Cavs fan and remember the hit pieces written about JB Bickerstaff at the end of his tenure there. Pieces like that are designed to get engagement.
You commenting on an article about the piece is kind of doing exactly what it intended.
I agree, almost none of this needed to be made public. The Warriors are the #1 highest value franchise, no amount of food is going to dent them in any way, especially if it were only a handful of people taking some. Food goes bad anyway, they likely throw out a ton of it. The Warriors only were made to look terrible here.
The only way out of this for GSW is they need to completely revamp the franchise by firing Kerr and MDJ, and getting rid of Draymond, Podz and GP2.
You’re not wrong. But if youre a Warriors fan it’s concerning that there is a lot to learn from the organization side of this. Kids are gonna be kids it’s up to the adults in the room to make this work out.
As we see daily, the more money you get, the more immature you become.
He’s gonna have to face reality he doesn’t hsve thr talent to be the kind of star on offense he wants and no team wants to give him a star role on offense! On him to find his niche as a high end role player or become a journeyman before flaming out of the league
GSW sucks way too much as an organisation!!!
Too much dislike able!
I can care less about this situation. I’m fine hearing about it. He was traded, time to move on already
Couldn’t* care less btw. Poetic irony. Seize the day!!
In a similar lane, as a Warriors fan, the way they decided Kelenna and Bob were going to be their commentary team, always made me go “really? them??? Two guys with absolutely zero chemistry and charisma are the voice of the highest-value franchise????”
They could have gotten literally anyone, they could have pulled a celebrity or comedian for this role, and instead went with guys who talk over Steph’s highlights as they are happening in front of them, talking about golf or some crud. GSW’s commentary team has long been the joke of the league, but they have never spoken about upgrading them? Weird move from the richest team. Shouldn’t they have the best commentary and stadium experience? Shouldn’t every aspect of the team be “the best money can buy” including the roster (although the roster is limited by the salary cap)???
Don’t forget about Kelena pushing his Cornbread while the game is being played. Those two are the worst! Also, what’s up with the split screen commercial when a player is shooting a foul shot? Give me a break! If another network is broadcasting the Warrior game, it’s a no brainer to switch that channel.
Surely this is 100% Kerr’s fault Davey.
What i don’t get is why did Kuminga sign with the warriors if he hated it that much? Oh right it has always been about the money to him. Kuminga will always play for the money first. When you main focus is money You lose sight of winning and improving.
Cmon man, it was literally “pick $45M or $8M”. You pick the $45M every time.
You expect the professional NBA team to get over it and not act like spoiled brat children, not the other way around. Kuminga never really stopped balling out. He had bad single games that were created by Kerr playing him as a center with 4 undersized SGs who play zero defense, and was instantly met with DNP’s. Which is insane. DNPing a guy making $20M. Podz cant find the rim, create plays, pass or provide size on defense, but he gets unlimited chances and minutes? Moody been better than Podz this whole time. The Warriors FO are acting like massive spoiled brat crybabies.
Moody moved up in the rotation over Podz because Moody’s defense is better. Just watch Kuminga will have the same type of career as Oubre.
Oubre is one way his career could fall, but with good coaching, not terrible coaching, he could really take the next step, he has the tools to do so.
Same as Kuminga.
I think “Mr. Butter” Gui Santos will end up with a better career
Gui is a better system fit, but has a lower ceiling than Kuminga. Gui is more of a Barnes/Iguodala/Wiggins-type. Although Wiggins not really that type, hence the rougher fit – won a chip though! Kuminga needed to be Barnes/Iguodala but was more Wiggins, hence Kerr rejecting his presenece to middling and season-destroying results! Imagine if GSW had $20.5M more worth of players actually active? Fans want to see Kuminga. Kerr has done so much malpractice since 2023 its not funny anymore. Kerr gotta retire asap.
@arc
Oubre’s career has been pretty good – 11 seasons starting in over half his games after his rookie contract and $82 mil earned so far at age 30.
He had a similar situation as Kuminga did, in that the Wizards were trying to win so he didn’t get a lot of minutes.
That is why I picked him as how his career will go. Oubre another guy with a lot of talent but took a long time to find a place in the NBA.
See ……. they are still blaming him. Worse than children lol.
It’s amazing that Kerr isn’t blamed for his mishandling the situation – and this anonymous sources BS saying he declined “mop-up opportunities” in 3 games supposedly proving he had quit on the team as opposed to 16 DNPs proving Kerr had quit on him is just pro-GSW spin.
Incredibly stupid for a .500 team to not have tried to raise his value by continuing to play him.
If you read the article it proves what I been hearing that Kerr’s days are numbered. He should retire at the end of the year. He would be a terrible coach on a rebuild team.
Yeah they just keep handling it wrong. I’ll never understand how you put the blame on a draft pick. The team chose him. It’s up to them to develop him. To play him or to trade him. All this other nonsense is non basketball related. Wiseman was moved. Why procrastinate with JK.
I just hope its not the warriors that put out all this gossip about Kuminga and just a sport writer trying to sale an article. i just can’t see them complaining about Kuminga taking food unless it came from some lower down personel just yapping. Warriors need to let it go and the fans. Kuminga is gone its over and turn the page.
Kerr clearly had an issue with JK. They should have moved him long ago. Why prolong it. In the end they blew two high draft picks.
From a few articles Lacob didn’t want to trade him because Lacob was the one that picked him.
arc, he was a restricted free agent. He had to sign with the Warriors or sit out the year because they had his rights and the right to match any contract that He would sign elsewhere. I don’t understand what you’re saying here?
He doesn’t understand what he’s saying either Gary
What i am saying is his goal has always been money over everything.
Yes, that’s true.., but you didn’t understand why he signed with the Warriors “if he hated it that much?”
He had no choice.
What’s really funny if you go back and look, there was a ton of guys here who said he would take the $8 million offer whatever it was called. A lot of guys said that. Cam Thomas took it. The qualifying offer or whatever.
There was no way a human being takes $8 million when there’s an offer of $45 million. That is just ridiculous.
That’s not a knock against JK to take the money.
It’s logical, it’s what anyone would do.
You take 24 million for one year instead of 8 million for one year. That’s not a bad thing, that’s not selfish. That’s not ego. It’s just plain smart.
@arc
Why? He signed because taking the lowball QO would have been stupid.
Just in case you aren’t aware, every NBA player cares about money as their 1st priority.
He would have been a free agent at the end of the season and pick where he wanted to go. He didn’t sound over joyed to go to the Hawks. He also wanted to get paid before proving he is worth the money. Warriors are smart and not throwing money around like they did with poole.
We dont need a story on this, we were here the past 4 years
The Warriors did their young players, and specially Kuminga, wrong
Wiseman and Kuminga ….
I’m a Wars fan but to say they mismanaged Kuminga would be a huge understatement
With a name like that, you and the other Warriors fellas are gonna get along great!
Why doesn’t your kings go after Sochan who was rerleased by the Spurs? Perfect fit since the Kings do need defense.
GSW should, he would help them.
@ W_B 😭💪🤭👍
Leave it to Jimmy to tell the truth …. Love it.
Imo Kerr didn’t handle this well. He is the coach the authority the adult. JK clearly wasn’t ready for NBA mins. So he should have been in G-learning. There was no need to rush him. If JK wasn’t receptive to this development. Then they should have traded him. Why drag this out. They literally waited till last min to trade him.
This is all mismanagement on team. Especially since they are trying to win one last time. You got all these entitled Warrior fans blaming Kuminga for everything that’s gone wrong for Warriors. Three yrs of this comedy.
I blame many involved for the mess. From Lacob to Kerr to Kuminga to his agent. Rehashing what happened behind the scenes is just sport writers wanting to have something to write about. Its over nothing more needs to be said. Just like all those Giannis stories to teh warriors had no legs after all.
^ this is a BS take – there was plenty of “legs” to Giannis to GSW arc, they literally had talks and exchanged offers. That’s “legs”. It did not pan out now, but eventually will in this offseason. The Bucks owners want Giannis gone so they can rebuild – that will happen one way or another.
I said lacob was too focused on getting Giannis. Bucks had 0 intention of trading Giannis for draft picks. they ghosted warriors after the offer. Warriors should have pulled the offer and went after somebody else. they didn’t exchanged offers. The warriors never got a counter offer. Bucks want young players and draft picks. warriors do not have young players for a trade. let it go Davey Giannis is never going to be a warrior.
“let it go Davey Giannis is never going to be a warrior.”
You keep saying this and it is not true. The Bucks front office hates Giannis. You cannot deny this. GSW has the bullets to get him. Jimmy, Podz, Moody plus picks. Bucks will lower their price too. You dont know the future.
If the Bucks hated Giannis they would have traded him. They will offer him around after the season when one of the top team loses in teh playoff and will offer a great package for him. Miami will have another 2 draft picks to offer with their young players. Still saying OKC or Spurs will get him if they don’t make the finals.
They do hate him, and are going to trade him. Cam Thomas is terrible. They are surrounding Giannis with all the most annoying players in the league so he asks out.
Sure they are davey. Did i say that the Bucks are using teh warriors offer for a better one? YES Once again i was correct.
“Terrible” Cam Thomas in his 1st game as a Buck, game high 34 pts on 75 TS% 4 reb 2 ast and +6 in 25 minutes to help beat the Magic on the road.
Like i said from day 1 lol. Doesn’t matter who’s at fault. His development is all that natters. Thats on the team. So you can trade him for value. All of you talked trash. Cause I was only one with common sense. You don’t blame the child or the rebel. You show them the way to better solutions. ….. for ALL
The article specifically stated the Warriors never offered Kuminga a long term contract. It does state his agent asked for the Jalen Johnson 5/150, not that it was ever offered and subsequently turned down.
Anyone care to admit they were dead wrong while repeating this falsehood over and over?
Giants74? Michol? arc89?
??? I always said that Kuminga camp wanted the max and the warriors said No offered him a 4/85 deal. It was all over the warriors radio and they discussed it a lot 2 years ago. That is when the feud began.
Locker room cancer confirmed! GSW is better off without him.
Lacob also needs to stop being involved in draft picks.
lacob needs to stay out of the team management. They could have done more this trade deadline if he didn’t force them to go all in and wait for Giannis.
Does it matter now? It’s over, move on. Like salking over a relationship with a ex girlfriend that didnt work. Plenty of others out there, go find a better one.
Wow:
Joe Lacob – JK lottery pick
Kirk Lacob – Wiseman pick
Kent Lacob – Smailagic (Smiley); “The next Dirk.”
Smiley was drafted by NOP and then traded for two 2RPS, who turned into 2RP nobodies, that’s common.
No good players drafted after Smiley either. He was terrible, but it was all a pretty normal draft fail that every team has.
Wiseman over Lamelo, Hali, Maxey, Deni, Bey and Okongwu was maybe the worst move ever, especially since Kerr’s perma-hardon for undersized guards and hatred of bigs exists.
I always wondered who was so high on Smiley only to be released the next year? His talent on the G league team was real raw. Lacob needs to stay out of the scouting reports.
They are enamoured with Murphy III, but the Warriors should be targeting Saddiq Bey this offseason now he’s proven healthy. A SF with size is exactly who they need.
i wouldn’t mind Bey coming off teh bench he can rebound.
The Warriors not only passed on Franz Wagner to pick Kuminga but also passed on Alperen Sengün to pick Moses Moody.
Bob Myers had a tendency to pick body over skill.
Jonathan Kuminga is a freak athlete. Heard he was the fastest guy at the combine and he can jump through the roof as we all can see. Skills? Not there, but “IF” the player is hungry they can develop.
Same with Moses Moody. Super long arms, great jumper, great size. No game. Kudos though for developing a very accurate three-point shot and that’s helping the warriors today. You can see the work he’s put in.
Ryan Rollins? Super long arms, very athletic and you can see the work he’s put in to get to this point 4 years later.
Jacob Evans? Great body, awesome size for a point guard. Problem was he couldn’t play point guard lol. Couldn’t dribble with his left hand !!
Alan Smailagic? Same thing. 6-9 but played like a guard with decent handles, good looking jumpshot, willing to pass and ran well. He just didn’t have those things to an NBA level.
the poole pick ruined Bob. He thought he had a gift of finding somebody nobody else thought was good. He also let lacob tell him who to pick instead of standing up to lacob. Bob went too much with players that have raw skills instead of 4 year college players that come in and help.
Moody was picked to go top 5 and “the most NBA ready-now” guy on many pre-drafts and fell super far for no reason. GSW were lucky to get him. Sengun was 18 years old and too risky for a team trying to win with Steph’s prime.
Moses Moody had a 30 point game in his rookie year and then was banished to the bench once Podz showed up. When Moody is better than Podz at almost everything. Great move Kerr. smh. Kerr makes me feel GSW is anything but “Light Years” if anything he is a handicap on the team.
Ouch ………. good one Rocco 🫣
This is often what happens when owners stick their hands into roster decisions. I’m sure there are exceptions, but this is just an all too common story, owner thinks they know better, wants to feel cleverer than everyone, doubles down, etc.
Exactly!!! And at the end of the day the owners are just sentient piles of money with massive egos and nothing else, and as we see daily now, they are routinely exposed as being massively unintelligent, yet meddling in the running of their companies and making them run badly.
Sentient piles of money almost gave me a stroke it’s so funny bro lmfao
I usually refer to a certain “E. Musk” as that haha
They rarely can resist the urge to put their hands on the steering wheel when they have the power to. I mean, what’s the point of having control and influence over things if not to use it to strike your ego? Sigh