Warriors Intensify Search for Athletic Center as Kuminga Nears Trade Eligibility
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San Francisco — With forward Jonathan Kuminga eligible to be moved on Jan. 15, the Golden State Warriors are accelerating efforts to bolster their frontcourt, league sources told NBA on Prime’s Chris Haynes.
Kuminga Stays in the Moment
Kuminga acknowledged the approaching trade date but said it is not occupying his thoughts. “I don’t look at that,” he said, according to The Athletic’s Nick Friedell. “I don’t put my mind focusing on that because it’s gonna take me out of the present.” His stated priorities remain to get minutes, compete and help the team win.
Front Office Targets Paint Help
Haynes reported that Golden State is “actively hunting for an athletic center” after ranking in the league’s lower half in rebounding and blocked shots and sitting last in points allowed in the paint. The Warriors have identified three potential options: Dallas big man Daniel Gafford, Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton and Portland center Robert Williams. “I was told they are really serious,” Haynes said, adding that the organization is “trying to do everything they can to get this team back to championship-contender level.”
Team Struggles Continue
Golden State enters Saturday’s rematch with Phoenix at 13-15 after Thursday’s 99-98 defeat extended its losing streak to three. The Warriors are 5-10 in games decided by five points or fewer in the final five minutes, Friedell noted.
Stephen Curry offered a blunt assessment: “We’re obviously not a good team right now,” citing both the record and late-game issues. Head coach Steve Kerr pointed to lapses in energy and execution. The Warriors were outscored 53-45 after halftime on Thursday and committed 20 turnovers that led to 30 opponent points. “I thought we let our shoulders drop a little bit,” Kerr said. “We’ve got to be sharper with the ball. We’ve got to be better with our body language and our energy.”
Source: Hoops Wire
