Jonathan Kuminga Still Has Poor Relationship With Golden State Warriors Coach Steve Kerr
Jonathan Kuminga still has a poor relationship with Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, NBA sources told DallasHoopsJournal.
The Warriors are only 10-9 on the season. Kuminga started the first 12 games before getting benched by Kerr in Game 13 against the San Antonio Spurs. The forward is currently out with bilateral knee tendinitis.
“He said he’s not moving that well, so I can’t tell you what the outlook is,” Kerr told reporters on Sunday. “He needs to feel better and be able to move better before we can put him out there.”
Kuminga has appeared in 13 games this season. He’s averaging 13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 47.8% from the field, 32.4% from beyond the arc and 77.1% from the free-throw line.
The 23-year-old Kuminga wanted to leave Golden State this offseason and play for the Sacramento Kings, sources said. Kuminga has many fans within the Kings organization.
The Kings offered Malik Monk and a protected 2030 first-round pick to the Warriors for Kuminga in the offseason, sources said. Kuminga had positive conversations with Sacramento head coach Doug Christie and the Kings’ front office told Kuminga they view him as an All-Star forward who would receive a high usage rate with them.
A one-time NBA champion, Kuminga signed a two-year, $48.5 million deal with the Warriors to end his restricted free agency. The second year of the deal, which is a team option, is designed for Golden State — or another team if and when Kuminga is traded — to rip up and construct a new contract next offseason.
Kuminga can be traded after January 15, 2026. Nearly everyone who covers the NBA expects the Warriors to trade swingman once he becomes trade-eligible.
Kuminga believes his growth has been stunted by Kerr and the Warriors, sources said.
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