Jonathan Kuminga has lost faith in Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, according to Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic, who hear from sources close to the third-year forward that he doesn’t believe Kerr will allow him to reach his full potential in Golden State.
The report comes on the heels of Kuminga being benched for the final 18 minutes of the Warriors’ loss to Denver on Thursday.
“(Thursday) was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” one of The Athletic’s sources said.
Kuminga had played well in his first 19 minutes vs. the Nuggets, scoring 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting and grabbing four rebounds to go with four assists. However, he was removed from the game midway through the third quarter and was never reinserted.
“He was playing great,” Kerr said of Kuminga, per Slater. “His normal time to go back in would have been around the five-, six-minute mark (of the fourth quarter). (Andrew Wiggins) was playing great, we were rolling, were up 18, 19, whatever it was. So we just stayed with (Wiggins). Then at that (later) point, it didn’t feel like the right thing to do. (Kuminga) had been sitting for a while. So I stayed with the group that was out there, and obviously, we couldn’t close it out.”
As Charania and Slater detail, Kuminga has been a rotation regular for much of this season, including starting the Warriors’ past 11 games, but his minutes have fluctuated in part because he and Wiggins haven’t showed they’re capable of effectively playing together. Golden State has a ghastly -21.5 net rating in the 131 minutes the two forwards have shared the court this season. Minutes will likely also be harder to come by once Draymond Green returns from his suspension.
Kuminga has admitted to being confused by Kerr’s substitution patterns in the past, telling Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic after a Christmas Day loss to Denver, “Sometimes, I come out the game not knowing what I did. And that messes with my head. It’s like, ‘What they want me to do?’ I can pass and I can do different s–t.”
In 33 games this season, Kuminga has averaged 12.8 points and 4.1 rebounds in 22.1 minutes per night, with a shooting line of .506/.280/.688. In spite of Kuminga’s poor net rating alongside Wiggins, Golden State has a +1.8 overall mark during his time on the court, compared to -1.7 when he sits.
Kuminga will be extension-eligible during the 2024 offseason before earning approximately $7.6MM in the final year of his rookie contract next season. If he doesn’t sign a new deal this year, he’ll be on track for restricted free agency in 2025.
It’s usually notable when the coach losses faith in the player, not in this direction. I’m not the biggest fan of Kerr as a HC, but when a player is getting minutes, he doesn’t need faith in the HC. He can make his case by performance. If he does, then eventually more minutes will come his way.
Kerr’s decisions on playing the old vets too many minutes has lost the team multiple games this season. Kuminga had 16 pts in 19 minutes with 4 ast and 1TO and led them in+/-. Kerr letting the old players run out of gas in the 4th and leaving Kuminga on the bench was pure stupidity.
It’s not just the vets. Both Kerr and Dunleavy prefer Pods and Trayce Davis. It looks like both Kuminga and Moody are on their way out.
Kerr might be retiring after the season. He didn’t sign a extension and he doesn’t want to adjust to a youth movement.
I agree; both Kuminga and Moody will soon be former warriors. Kerr plays both of them enough to show the GMs for other teams that they can play at a high level, but not so much that the warrior fan base would go crazy when they can traded. Its all part of the win-now strategy which, of course, is a roll of the dice. I’ve been a warriors fan since the mid-60s, and I think it’s probably they’re best move given where they are today.
I’ll be surprised if Dunleavy trades both. What they need is a 7 footer that can defend, rebound, and hit an occasional three. Not many of those available in a trade scenario.
As I noted, I’m not a Kerr fan. As a coach, he was born on 3rd base. The plus-minus thing I noticed as well. In-game, most coaches rely on that as a primary guide and would have gone back with JK at some point.
But, more broadly, HCs don’t develop players, or prevent their development, as long as the player is getting meaningful minutes, which is certainly the case with JK. In any event, JK didn’t express frustration in the loss, only in his own playing time as it relates to his future. However bad Kerr’s coaching may be, it’s still just coaching and affects only a finite number of things.
kerr been surrounded by very good asst coaches. Now that most have moved along he is being exposed.
This is what free agency is for. Play out your time and go somewhere else.
So man up and ask for a trade. Why mention it through the media???
He didn’t. “[…] Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of the Athletic, who hear from sources close to the third-year forward that he doesn’t believe Kerr will allow him to reach his full potential in Golden State.”
If you think that backchanneled stuff like this isn’t directly from the player or OKed by a player, I’ve got a lake house in Iowa to sell you
Must be why every leak and trade rumor is true, right? Maybe vacation to your igloo in the Mojave.
There are actually 236 lakes in Iowa. But I get what you’re saying. Lol
100
Kuminga, Wiggins, Moody, and 2 picks for Siakam
Massive overpay. Also, isn’t he expiring?
You cry about it.
Even with Sakiam the warriors are not a top team in the west so why trade away all that for a play in berth.
@cgd Just the contract
Would a suitor want to keep Wiggins and Kuminga together?
lol that’s way too much for GS to give up for 1 year of Siakam
Siakam can be had for far less
Warriors need a big man, not a 6’9″ pf
Not sure why you said Kuminga’s numbers are poor. 13 ppg in 22 minutes as the 4th-5th guy seems fair for a kid who isn’t allowed to play. Hell in his last 10 while Draymonds been out he’s gone up to almost 15 ppg and just over 5 boards. Passing still needs work but it’s not like he’s the guy they rely on to move the ball anyway. I get his efficiency is down but when you get no playing time on a team that’s constantly falling behind in games those shots get a little iffy at best.
I think what’s more apparent is his lack of growth on defense. He has such natural explosive power and athleticism that he should be able to at least hang with middle of the pack bigs but he is constantly getting bullied down low. You can’t be both outsmarted and out hustled on defense which he very much is on a nightly basis.
“Poor” was referring to the -21.5 net rating alongside Wiggins. I’ll tweak the wording to make that clearer.
Wiggins is not having a very good year. So those ratings of course are down. If Kerr used Kuminga by having him go to the basket Curry’s shooting will go up.
It’s like he took something that changed him
He came into camp out of shape because of his rib injury.
Ok, who can offer the best package for CP3/Kuminga (combined ~37M)?
ASSUME: GSW leverage is diminished bc of 1) grumpy player factor, 2) CP3 will immediately request a buyout from new team, and 3) the team already needed a talent infusion even before this.
It’s totally understandable. It’s all about $$$ as he becomes extension eligible this offseason. One thing that I like about Kuminga is he has learned to get fouled and get free throws.
To inconsistent and to young to be critical of a championship coach.
All the good ones want to play. It comes with the territory and it’s not all bad that he wants to play as long as he doesnt get negative.
He doesnt want Kerr to take him for granted with Dray coming back
Watching the warriors is like watching a horror film. The same terrible mistakes every game. Kuminga is not the problem but old players being used by a coach that have his favorites. Warrior’s with the ball and 20 seconds left is the easiest defense for a opposing coach. Triple team Curry so he gets off a bad shot or throws it away. has happened about 5 times this year.
People keep saying stuff like this but the warriors are one of the oldest teams in the league. You can’t just “not use old players”. The roster is built this way and that isn’t really on the coach.
Kuminga is the next LeBron, but only if Kerr is fired
No.
Steph is adorable with these takes.
Milwaukee real estate broker LeBron Jones maybe.
Come play alongside Scotty Kuminga
Oh poor baby. Just play you overrated immature crybaby. You have no more potential because you suck.
Some trade ideas
1. Chris Paul, Jonathan Kuminga and draft captial for Pascal Siakim
Does overload you with forwards (Wiggs, Pascal and Dray) but GSW always had 3 forwards with Barnes Iggy and Dray or KD Iggy and Dray on those championship teams. CP3 leaving just gives more minutes for GP2, Podzi, Moody and maybe Cory Joseph.
Meanwhile Toronto get a huge expiring deal, a solid young player and draft capital.
2. Chris Paul, Jonathan Kuminga and Gui Santos for Clint Capela, DeAndre Hunter and draft capital
Capela gives you some real size down low which you’ve been missing. Hunter replaces Kuminga and is a better fit as a 3 and D forward. ATL gets a massive expiring deal and Kuminga which gets them out of 2 deals they’d rather not have
3. Chris Paul, Jonathan Kuminga and Gui Santos for Jerami Grant and Rob Williams
Portland gets a big expiring deal and Kuminga for their rebuild, GSW gets Grant who would be a good upgrade. Eventually they’d also get Rob Williams who if fit and healthy would be a great addition also
4. Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga for Dillon Brooks and Jock Landale
Depends how much the rockets value Brooks in comparison to Wiggins and Kuminga. Considering they have Thompson, Whitmore and Eason maybe they don’t have them as much but regardless, think this deal would be great for GSW. Brooks is a great fit and Landale gives them some size
Dubs are not trading away CP3. They brought him in for luxury tax relief after this season. Without CP3’s salary they’ll be right at the salary cap next season. No luxury tax.
Otherwise the Dubs could have traded Poole straight up for Porzingis (which is what they should have done instead of extending Draymond Green).
Despite the internal strife and poor roster construction they are a contending team this season. They’ve had some bad luck.
A ridiculous 27 of 34 games played this season have been clutch games. Dubs 13-14 record in clutch games. If 5 of those tight games were wins they’d be a 1/2 game up on the Kings.
Dubs won’t have cap room to sign an impact player next offseason. Player development and trades are the only route to immediate roster improvement.
If Kerr doesn’t return (likely Atkinson next HC) and the Dubs continue to not close out games I expect Dunleavy to start wheeling and dealing at the 2024 NBA Draft.
It will depend on how long Paul will to be out with the broken hand. That expiring could bring someone with impact.
Here’s a thought – meet with the coach or assistants “if you don’t know what they want you to do” or think you can contribute more. Player who has done nothing “loses faith in coach” who has a room full of trophies, amazing.
I had respect for Kerr because of the way he dealt with the team during their title runs…
But he’s a terrible development coach and an enabler of bad habits… I don’t blame the kid for losing faith after what happened with Poole…
As I also lost faith in the Warrior franchise
After over a decade in the nose bleeds of East Oakland
Before We Believe seasons w Baron
I was a die hard warriors fan
Then the last few years showed the world true colors
Any ways I hear ya Kuminga
And
While I don’t approve of players voicing such unprofessional mid season comments,
Alas
#LIGHTTHEBEAM
Wait you’re how old and using hashtags?
Everyone is tired of Kerr and his holier than thou attitude.
It’s complicated but understandable situation:
1. Both Kuminga and Moody feel urgency to play because offseason extension.
2. Both feel they have been patient and did everything team requested for 3 yrs.
3. Both feel less supported now by the front office and the coaching staff
4. Both were very close to Jordan Poole and were not happy how the Punch was handled. The locker room was split after the incident.
5. Both feel they will not develop in Golden State.
It’s going to be a wild trade deadline this yr amd Lacob will want to save $$$ with the way Warriors are playing.
the team in a transitional year. Its time for them to go with younger players and slowly fade out the old players. Their problem are the same as the lakers in wanting to help out the old players for 1 more ring but it hurts them in the long run. Kuminga gets better every year so why not show him some love with more playing time.
The Warriors are already losing support and games due to the thick headed moves by Kerr and management. The future is Kuminga, Moody, and the two rookies….
Not Green, Thompson, Looney, Paul,etc.
Surround Curry and Wiggins with the youngsters and watch some entertaining basketball.