Kerr Plans to Reinstate Jonathan Kuminga in Warriors’ Rotation on Thursday
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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said Tuesday that forward Jonathan Kuminga will be back in the playing rotation when the team resumes its schedule Thursday against the Phoenix Suns.
The 21-year-old has not appeared in the Warriors’ past three games, logging three consecutive DNP-CDs. Kerr stated that Kuminga’s recent effort in practice earned him another opportunity. “He’s been great this last week,” the coach noted. “He’s working really hard, and I’m going to reward that.”
Kuminga’s season has been marked by fluctuations. He started the year in the opening lineup and performed well enough for Kerr to publicly commit to him as a starter. A subsequent dip in production moved him to the bench, followed by a seven-game absence because of knee issues. After returning, he played four straight contests and started on Dec. 6 in Cleveland, where he shot 1-for-10 from the field and soon fell out of the rotation again.
Kerr said he intends to keep his current starters—Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, Moses Moody and Quinten Post—unchanged for now, meaning Kuminga will enter from the bench.
The third-year forward becomes trade-eligible on Jan. 15 and is widely regarded as a potential deadline candidate. Through 17 games (13 starts), he is averaging 12.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 25.6 minutes, while his shooting percentages have dipped and his turnovers have reached a career high.
For the immediate future, Kuminga is set to be part of the rotation once again when the Warriors return to action in Phoenix.
Source: Hoops Wire
