Kerr says Kuminga’s return won’t disrupt Warriors locker room
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Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr insisted Wednesday that newly re-signed forward Jonathan Kuminga will not unsettle a locker room already led by Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and offseason acquisition Jimmy Butler.
Kuminga finalized a two-year, $48.5 million contract in Cleveland on Tuesday night after nearly three months of restricted free-agency negotiations, then flew to San Francisco on Wednesday. The 22-year-old is scheduled to practice with the team Thursday afternoon.
“Jimmy is an alpha. Steph and Draymond are alphas. They run that locker room. I’m not worried about anything,” Kerr told reporters after Wednesday’s workout at Chase Center.
The agreement includes a team option for the second season and a 15 percent trade kicker, a structure that makes Kuminga eligible to be moved once the NBA’s trade moratorium on newly signed free agents ends Jan. 15. Agent Aaron Turner had pushed for a player option, but the Warriors declined.
General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. called the deal “something that works for us and the player,” adding that he does not feel compelled to pursue a trade. “We have a lot of guys on the team that have value around the league,” he said, “but right now I don’t feel like there’s a need to make a move.”
Turner discussed the negotiations publicly, including during a 40-minute appearance on ESPN’s “Hoop Collective” podcast in which he acknowledged the contract was designed to be easily traded if necessary.
Kerr kept his distance from the business side. “I told [Dunleavy] there was a reason I hated being a GM,” he joked, referencing his brief front-office stint in Phoenix. Kerr said he has maintained contact with Kuminga throughout the summer and plans a longer conversation in the coming days about expectations and role.
“It may not be the contract he was hoping for, but it’s life-changing money,” the coach said. “The goal now is to get better, help him become the player he can be and sign a few more contracts.”
Kuminga, the No. 7 pick in the 2021 draft, has alternated between starting and reserve roles in his first four NBA seasons. The Warriors enter training camp aiming to return to championship contention during the remaining prime years of Curry, Green and Butler.
Source: ESPN
