The Golden State Warriors are expected to gauge the market for forward Jonathan Kuminga in the coming weeks following his latest removal from Steve Kerr’s rotation, ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported.
Kuminga logged a full DNP-CD during Sunday’s victory in Chicago, even though Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Al Horford were all unavailable. The scratch came one night after the third-year forward went 1-for-10 from the field in Cleveland, where rookie Gui Santos closed the tight contest instead of him. Green was later seen speaking with Kuminga outside the locker room in an attempt to calm him.
Kerr downplayed Sunday’s decision. “It happens to everybody pretty much, other than the stars,” the head coach said, adding that substitution patterns hinge on health and team performance.
Contract tension dating back to summer
According to Slater, the benching is the latest development in what he described as a five-year tug-of-war between player and club. Kuminga’s restricted free agency lingered into training camp, yielded no external offer sheet and ultimately produced a two-year, $46.8 million agreement that includes a team option the player opposed, leaving “bitter feelings on both sides,” the report said.
The 21-year-old opened the season as Golden State’s starting power forward, helping the team win four of its first five games. A slight knee tendinitis issue and an overall team slide soon followed, and Kuminga’s minutes evaporated. Since returning to the lineup he has shot just 12-for-40.
Trade window opens mid-January
Because of recent contract rules, Kuminga cannot be dealt until January 15, but league sources told Slater a move before the February 5 trade deadline is considered likely. Phoenix and Sacramento both explored sign-and-trade scenarios for him last summer before backing away.
With Curry and Green scheduled to rejoin the active roster later this week, playing time at the forward spots is expected to tighten even further.
“I’m going to work out every day and stay ready,” Kuminga said. “You never know how these things work. I believe in my game. I just got to be a professional.”
Source: Hoops Wire
