Jonathan Kuminga’s situation with the Golden State Warriors isn’t sustainable at this point.
Kuminga has piled up DNPs after starting the first 12 games of the season. Some of those absences have been due to an alleged injury, although there might be more to that story than what’s been said.
According to a report by The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson II, Sam Amick and Nick Friedell, some sources within the Warriors even think he wasn’t really hurt when he missed games with a back injury.
Some Warriors members reportedly believe Jonathan Kuminga wasn’t really hurt
“Kuminga’s absence certainly raised some eyebrows across the league, and frustration within the Warriors’ organization. Multiple team sources said they suspect Kuminga wasn’t actually hurt,” read the report. “‘I wouldn’t have played either,’ said one Warriors player, given anonymity in exchange for candor. ‘It’s clear the coach doesn’t believe in him.'”
Kuminga, who became eligible for a trade on Jan. 15, has reportedly demanded a trade. The Warriors’ reluctance to let him go shows a major disconnect between the front office, Steve Kerr and what the team actually needs.
Even if they can’t get equal value in return for a former lottery player, he’s not giving them anything on the court. If anything, he’s being a major distraction in the locker room.
The front office has been hesitant to make big moves involving its young players or its draft picks, knowing that it will struggle in the post-Stephen Curry era.
Ironically, that approach is what’s actively sabotaging the twilight years of Curry’s prime. It’s time to pull the plug, regardless of the return.