Golden State forward Jonathan Kuminga returned to game action Tuesday, less than 24 hours after general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. publicly acknowledged the player’s trade request and declared the team would listen to offers. Kuminga logged 21 minutes in the loss, producing 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting and finishing plus-3 in a matchup the Warriors ultimately dropped by 18.
Head coach Steve Kerr praised the fifth-year forward’s readiness. “He came in and had great energy, attacked the rim, made some shots,” Kerr said. “With Jimmy (Butler) out, there’s a hole at that spot on our roster, so JK’s going to factor in here again.”
Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, had reacted to Dunleavy’s comments earlier in the day by posting the textbook definition of the “law of demand,” adding that lowering a player’s price tag or increasing his minutes can boost market interest.
Veteran Draymond Green credited Kuminga’s attitude during the weeks he spent out of the rotation. “He’s been incredible,” Green said. “If you’ve been a nuisance, that game doesn’t happen for you.”
Coaching outlook in Golden State
In a separate report, The Ringer’s Logan Murdock wrote that several Warriors assistants are operating under the assumption Kerr will not be on the bench in 2026-27. Those assistants have begun exploring alternative opportunities, a process highlighted by longtime staffer Chris DeMarco’s move to the WNBA earlier this season. Kerr, whose contract ends after this year, has not publicly committed to a decision.
Sabonis on restricted minutes
Kings center Domantas Sabonis has come off the bench in his first three appearances since returning from a two-month knee absence, averaging 19.3 minutes. Head coach Doug Christie told reporters the limited workload is not mandated by the medical staff but is instead a coaching decision. Sabonis will sit out Wednesday’s game against Toronto, the second half of a back-to-back, for left knee injury management.
Lakers hope defense sticks
Following Tuesday’s win over Denver, Lakers coach JJ Redick said his club’s improved defensive cohesion could be challenged by looming contract uncertainty. “We have a lot of guys that are going to be free agents, and we have a lot of guys that have player options for next summer, so you might as well count them as free agents,” Redick noted. “When things aren’t going well you’re naturally going to turn inward. Our emphasis is just being about the group and staying connected.”
Los Angeles held the Nuggets in check for most of the night, a performance Dan Woike of The Athletic described as one of the team’s most unified efforts this season.
Source: Hoops Rumors
