Jonathan Kuminga‘s role in the playoffs will be closely watched around the league as he heads into restricted free agency, Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line report.
Kuminga never entered the game in Golden State’s play-in victory over Memphis. It’s expected that Kuminga will have at least a limited role in the first-round series against the Rockets as the Warriors try to combat Houston’s athleticism.
Coach Steve Kerr has stated publicly that the combination of Kuminga and Jimmy Butler at the forward spots hasn’t worked well due to spacing issues — both are subpar 3-point shooters. The coaching staff had hoped that Kuminga might be further along in developing his playmaking skills.
The front office and Kuminga couldn’t meet his asking price during rookie scale extension talks. He was seeking more than $30MM annually. The Nets are a potential suitor with enough cap space to give Kuminga a pricey contract but a sign-and-trade with another team could be a potential option this summer.
Here’s more from the latest Stein Line notes post:
- The Suns are unlikely to pursue another veteran coach after Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer lasted just one season apiece. However, Pelicans coach Willie Green is a potential candidate if new New Orleans president of basketball operations Joe Dumars doesn’t retain Green. Cavaliers associate head coach Johnnie Bryant, Rockets assistant coach Royal Ivey and Mavericks assistants Jared Dudley and Sean Sweeney could also be in the mix.
- It’s not a certainty Suns top executive James Jones will hold onto his job. Owner Mat Ishbia could make a change in the front office before a new head coach is hired.
- Dumars will take his time before deciding whether he’ll look to shop oft-injured franchise player Zion Williamson. There’s some skepticism around the league that the Pelicans will continue to ride with Williamson as their cornerstone piece.
- There’s some grumbling around the league regarding the swiftness of the Pelicans decision to hire Dumars a day after David Griffin was let go and the Kings’ same-day hiring of Scott Perry to replace Monte McNair. Dumars was also high on Sacramento’s list.
- Dirk Nowitzki has an office at the Mavericks practice facility but he’s rarely there, which speaks to his distance from the Mavericks current ownership group and GM Nico Harrison. Nowitzki was named a special advisor to former majority owner Mark Cuban, who no longer has much say in personnel decisions, including the blockbuster Luka Doncic deal.
-Suns owner wants even more control? Wow, Yes men need only apply.
-Definitely trade Zion, good luck with that.
-Kuminga is definitely expendable, sign and trade.
-Dirk wants nothing to do with Dallas.
Sign and trade Kuminga, Moody, Buddy and picks for Giannis
Hahaha Hahaha. Yep, make it happen.
You remind me of this one guy who ranted and raved that the Christian Wood Rockets were going to destroy the Warriors. It didn’t happen. Christian Wood is out of basketball. And, we never heard from him again. Since this is not a fan site, I bet you disappear soon.
OK, cool. How much?
You go on a Warriors fan site and detail why they won’t make the playoffs this year.
Kuminga picked the wrong season to have a shooting slump and miss a month due to injury. I bet he really regrets not signing that $30 million contract.
I doubt he is going anywhere. The Nets GM said they are only going to spend money on polished players. How many teams are going to do a sign & trade on promise? Probably not at a price JK wants. He needs to work on his 3 point shooting and free throw shooting.
Why would Nets sign Kuminga. They have (4) #1 picks in first rd this year. The only player Nets could sign is Giddey. A young PG still getting better. People throw around 30 mill a year. Like its a given. Potential is based on who signs you. How bad they want you. Don’t mean you are worth it. Young players today. Haven’t even learned to win yet. And by 22-23 they think they are worth 30 plus mill five yrs. I really like Jalen Green. But he got three yrs 105 mill. Three yrs is what it should be for these pay me now players. Giddey nor Kuminga is worth 30 mill. Not yet anyway.
I’d pay $30 mill for Giddey and it would be a steal, however I’m not sure Kuminga’s worth $10 mill.
Less than $10 for Kuminga? Have you ever seen him play. It sounds like you haven’t.
$30 million was how much the Warriors offered him.