01/16/26 08:34:00
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01/16 00:46 CST Warriors coach Steve Kerr chatted with Jonathan Kuminga about
his uncertain situation
Warriors coach Steve Kerr chatted with Jonathan Kuminga about his uncertain
situation
By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Sports Writer
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) --- Coach Steve Kerr spoke with Warriors forward Jonathan
Kuminga during the morning shootaround Thursday about the player's situation
being out of the rotation for more than a month now with expectations he will
be traded before the deadline next month.
"We talked this morning and that's all private," Kerr said. "I will keep
coaching him, he'll be part of the team, he'll be here. It is what it is."
Kerr discounted any issues between them as being reason Kuminga has reportedly
requested a trade from the team after not being used in the last 14 games since
Dec. 18 and 17 of 18 --- though he has been listed as injured for nine games
this season.
"Our relationship is fine," Kerr said before Golden State's 126-113 win over
the New York Knicks. "There's not a whole lot I can say about the other stuff.
It is what it is, difficult situation for everybody and part of this league,
part of the job. We just keep moving forward."
Kuminga has been training much of the time on his own, shooting on the
Warriors' practice floor out of the eyes of fans at Chase Center. He wears a
black hood over his head on the end of the bench during games. Perhaps Kuminga
and the Warriors weren't a great fit from Day 1 --- not that it's his fault ---
and he might be eager to leave and start fresh elsewhere. If so, the Golden
State brass might want to make sure he doesn't get hurt before trying to trade
him.
Yet nobody has taken issue with his work ethic, at least not publicly. Kuminga,
selected seventh overall in the 2021 draft, has been known to stay long after
games shooting on the arena's main floor.
"It's not a distraction at all. It's a very unique situation but our job is
just to keep playing, keep winning, it'll resolve itself one way or the other,"
Stephen Curry said.
The 23-year-old from the Democratic Republic of the Congo has appeared in just
18 games total with 13 starts, averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6
assists.
On Sept. 30, he agreed to a two-year contract that could be worth up to $46.5
million if the team were to exercise its option for 2026-27. Kuminga had had a
$7.9 million qualifying offer in hand since June 29 but was also weighing other
options and he missed media day.
He has long had the support and confidence of teammates --- like Jimmy Butler
saying he has been having Kuminga over and continuing to encourage him.
"We love JK in this locker room, that's not going to change," Butler said
postgame. "If he happens to not be in here, we'll still rock with JK. I speak
for everybody. We love the guy. I wish him the best here, I wish him the best
wherever. It doesn't change. We don't listen to the noise, I hope he don't
listen to the noise he keep coming here with a smile doing what he's supposed
to do and being the ultimate pro."
Kuminga missed much of last season with a right ankle injury. He averaged 15.3
points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 24.3 minutes over 47 games with 10
starts. He also scored 15.3 points per game over eight playoff games while
shooting 48.4% from the floor and making 40% of his 3-point attempts. That
included a career-best 30-point performance in Game 3 of the Western Conference
semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Kerr said the uncertainty around Kuminga's future "won't be a distraction."
"Jonathan's a great young guy, his teammates like him," Kerr said. "He's
handling himself well."
___
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