The Warriors are happy with Jonathan Kuminga‘s development this season and aren’t inclined to trade him at the February 8 deadline, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype said in a conversation with The Athletic’s Anthony Slater on the HoopsHype podcast. It would likely require an “overpay” of draft picks or a deal that returns an All-Star caliber player to get Golden State to consider moving Kuminga, according to Scotto.
Slater essentially agrees with that assessment, noting that one reason the Warriors would be hesitant to move the former lottery pick is that they value him more than the rest of the NBA does. However, as Slater notes, the league-wide perception of Kuminga is likely rising based on how he’s performed lately.
As Slater wrote at The Athletic, in the Warriors’ emotional first game back on Wednesday following the death of assistant coach Dejan Milojevic, Kuminga had a perfect night, scoring 25 points on 11-of-11 shooting to help lead Golden State to a 22-point win. On Thursday vs. Sacramento, Kuminga racked up a season-high 31 points in 30 minutes and was a +16 in a game the team lost by one point.
The Warriors’ investment in Kuminga is paying dividends, according to Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic, who hears from his own sources that the team doesn’t plan to trade the third-year forward and never did.
While Kuminga’s standing in Golden State looked shaky just a few weeks ago when Slater and Shams Charania reported that he had lost faith in head coach Steve Kerr, the 21-year-old has felt better about his situation since meeting with Kerr in the wake of that report, per Slater. Now he’s playing some of the best basketball of his career and cementing his place in the Warriors’ future.
Here’s more out of Golden State:
- Scotto and Slater discussed several more Warriors-related topics and rumors in the HoopsHype podcast, including Andrew Wiggins‘ trade market, why Golden State values Chris Paul as more than just an expiring contract, Steve Kerr‘s desire to continue coaching the Warriors beyond this season, and Slater’s belief that Klay Thompson will re-sign with the team in the summer. Regarding Wiggins, both Scotto and Slater have heard whispers about the Mavericks potentially having interest in the former No. 1 overall pick.
- Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. said during an NBC Sports Bay Area appearance on Thursday that he continues to evaluate the roster and to consider possible trade opportunities. Dunleavy admitted that the defense has “struggled” and is an area the team wants to “shore up,” but said that won’t necessarily happen on the trade market. “A lot of times, it’s hard at the trade deadline to bring in a player or players that are just going to dramatically improve your defense,” Dunleavy said, per Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area. “Look, if that player is available, we’ll look to pursue it. … (But) I think it’s got to come from within. And that comes from everybody. That’s coaches, that’s players, that’s the whole deal of we’ve got to tighten this thing up and find a way to be better defensively because, frankly, offensively, we’ve been great.” Two of the Warriors’ top defenders, Draymond Green and Gary Payton II, have missed significant time this season.
- Green has come off the bench in all three games since returning from his suspension, but Slater notes (via Twitter) that Kerr quickly subbed in the former Defensive Player of the Year just three minutes into the second half on Thursday. That might have been Green’s last half out of the starting five, Slater adds.
Anyone who thought the Green not-starting was anything more than performative…I have a bridge in Iowa to sell you
I think it’s time for you to follow a new sport there bud
Huh?
Green not starting was due to his time off to get back into condition. Also he has made the bench back to be better than the starters.
Exactly. He’ll be starting again in a week or two.
He volunteered to come off the bench last season when the Warriors were looking like a lottery team. It led to their best stretch of games. It probably saved the season.
Last season is irrelevant. If Kerr could have started him he would have. My opinion anyway, feel free to disagree.
Lil D, Green’s conditioning wouldn’t allow him to play a starter role right away. You can’t have him sucking wind and needing to get subbed out after 2 minutes. That does the team no good.
No no, you work your way into the lineup over a week or so till he gets up to speed. That’s why Green wasn’t starting.
Until an actual nba player chimes in that is bogus! Draymond was suspended not locked in his room. Why wouldn’t he work out? And it’s not like he doesn’t understand the difference between in-game and off. He’s been in the league for years.
Every player that is a significant amount of time is slowly worked back into the rotation. It has been going on for decades. Get a clue.
You are welcome to believe that, but I find it hard to imagine Draymond needs time to adjust to the same people he’s been playing with for the last 10 years. I mean come in. Kerr is walking a tight rope with all this nonsense.
the only players he played w/in the last 10 years was Steph and Klay, obviously..but the team as a whole has different chemistry, that Draymond needs time to mesh w/again
It is pretty obvious that Lil D can’t dribble a basketball, but still needs to comment.
Kuminga is untouchable. No way they should trade him unless getting way over paid with a few 1st round picks. Just like Giannis and Embiid they took a few years to dominate. Kuminga is the 2nd best player on the team next to Curry.
Does that say more about Kuminga or the Warriors?
Both. Warriors need to get younger and Kuminga is getting better by the month. Kuminga can get 20 points a night so trading him will not make the offense better unless they get a 2 way allstar player which is not on the trade market.
The problem the Warriors will eventually have is Kuminga vs Green in the starting lineup. Neither are good from 3 and they can’t have both in the lineup. They are in year 3 with Kuminga and when it comes time to pay him he will want to be a starter. Green will still be on his contract. They will have problems keeping both happy.
Klay and CP3 high pay comes off so paying Kuminga is not going to be a problem
It’s more of how many non shooters can you have around Steph. Im not saying money wise. It’s more of can Green and Kuminga be out there together.
Green is shooting 45% from three this season (admittedly, low volume)
I always find funny people say Draymond can’t shoot 3s. Why would he shoot 3s when he plays with 2 of the greatest 3 point shooters in NBA history?
Kuminga had his best career game against Atlanta this week. JK praised Draymond for his breakout game in the post game press conference.
Grant williams and holmes for wiggins?
Last dance 2
Are you still searching for dates.
If they can use CP3 and get a few pieces for beyond this year, that would be the smart choice.
All I gotta say is “keep on keeping on” and I’m not just saying that cause the Blazers own GS’ pick this year lol
JK and Wiggins for Caruso and Vucevic?
Nah
Aren’t the Dubs “Light Years” ahead of the rest of the league?
Team arrogance starts at the top with Lacob and trails down to Dray, Klay and then the fans (“Let’s keep all of our good players and trade our bad player/bad contracts.”). It will cost a lot to unload Wiggins. Nobody wants Klay at his number and he’ll have a tough time signing elsewhere due to his inflated self-importance. He’ll be a Warrior next year though maybe a disgruntled one when he doesn’t get a raise, and maybe takes a pay cut. It’s about ego with him.
The “Light Years” magic included Wiseman and team smugness in proclaiming Smiley, discovered by one of Lacob’s sons, as the next Dirk. And it might have all worked again if they could go 3x Cap in salary to sign Giannis, which the local media and fans tried to talk into existence. Didn’t happen and now Steph is 36…
Wiggins contract is not that huge. People like you that couldn’t wait to laugh at the warriors demise. Lacob will rebuild the team. It was Myers who drafted poorly and put the warriors in this mess.
You realize Tony, this team has four championships in the last few years don’t you? But I understand you’re a fan of another team and just ripping into the Warriors while they’re down. That’s fine.
But I’ll tell you it’s not over. They were supposed to be done last year and they still made the playoffs and even beat the Kings who are greatly improved. Let’s see what happens this year.
Tony is showing how ignorant he is about Basketball. Smiley only cost them a couple of 2nds. The majority of 2nd round players never play an NBA game. Wiseman is just fine. Bigs always take longer than smaller players to develop. Just look at Ivica Zubac. It took him 4 seasons. They had the same coach, Deki. Deki would not have come to Golden State if he didn’t think Wiseman could be developed. He could have landed anywhere.
Who said the Warriors were going to sign Giannis? Nobody.
GS wants an all-star for Kuminga, a non all-star. Makes sense.
Why would you trade Kuminga if you don’t get a 20 a night player back?
If you read the article it says they DON’T want to trade him. But if you need to have Jonathan Kuminga it’s going to cost you an all-star. That’s what the article says.
So what you’re saying is you want a 21-year-old stud like Jonathan Kuminga for a regular NBA starter or bench player who’s not an All-Star? That’s not going to happen because the trajectory for Jonathan Kuminga is only up.
If they could get an actual all-star for this chucker, they would have already traded him. But you should always shoot high.
Wiggins for Kyrie?
Would make the Mavs a lot more watchable and the Warriors a lot more comical…
(I know it does work nor will ever happen…)
The only one comical here is you.
Light Years haha… All of the elements in my post are accurate and the reader response here validates what I said… Sure maybe Wiggins and W for Murray or Trae hahaha Can resign Smiley to fill the last roster spot…
What does it validate? Nobody cares that Smiley was a bust. Most 2nd rounders don’t make it. A lot 1st rounders don’t make it. What are you whining about.
He is just bitter his rockets championship window is closed because dof the warriors.
Chris Paul and Dario Saric to Chicago for Vucevic and Carter
I think if the Warriors traded Dario saric they would call it a year. He’s playing too well to try to seek an upgrade from him. He’s one of the keepers for this year.
The reason why I said Dario is because GS has Green, Kuminga Jackson-Davis and Santos along with Dario playing PF. They need a center. I don’t think Dario will be be back next year and Chicago needs a PF desperately. Dario is not a center. He is really a PF and has always been a PF. I understand he is playing well. They can then trade Chris Paul and Santos for Vucevic and Carter then.