Warriors’ stars, coach Kerr respond to Jonathan Kuminga trade request
SAN FRANCISCO — Warriors coach Steve Kerr spent most of Thursday’s pregame press conference doing his best to downplay multiple reports that Jonathan Kuminga requested a trade away from Golden State.
“Our relationship is fine, and there’s not a whole lot I can say about the other stuff,” Kerr said. “It is what it is, and its a difficult situation for everybody. Part of this league and part of this job. We keep moving forward.”
After a protracted summertime negotiation that saw Kuminga’s agent Aaron Turner emphasize his client’s desire for a featured offensive role, the forward agreed to a two-year contract with a trade restriction until Jan. 15.
Kuminga started the first 12 games, but a combination of injuries and ineffective play saw him relegated to the bench afterwards. The 23-year-old has since only played one of the last 17 games.
Standing across the room from Kuminga’s locker, his self-appointed mentor, Jimmy Butler, made sure to emphasize that the team still had Kuminga’s back.
“We love JK, and that’s not gonna change … we still rock with JK and I speak for everybody,” Butler said. “I wish him the best here, I wish him the best wherever. Doesn’t change. I hope he doesn’t listen to the noise. Keep coming here with a smile, doing what he’s supposed to do, and being the ultimate pro.”
Though Kuminga is relegated to the bench and no longer in the team’s future plans, Kerr believed the team will not be negatively affected by the situation.
“It won’t be a distraction,” Kerr said. “Jonathan is a great young guy, his teammates like him, and he’s handling himself well. There won’t be a distraction.”
Steph Curry and Draymond Green both agreed.
“It’s a very unique situation, but our job is to keep playing and winning, and it’ll resolve itself one way or another,” Curry said. “If you’ve been around the last three or four years, we’ve done it this whole time. So we’re very, very well-trained in this area.”
Green said that even though it is clear that Kuminga desires a departure and a fresh start, that has not diminished his respect for someone who is trying to jump-start their career.
“I have zero doubts that no matter what happens with him, whether its here or anywhere else, it’s going to work out for him in the end, because he works his tail off, and he’s a great person, a great teammate, and things work out for those guys,” Green said.
Kuminga participated in shootaround on Thursday morning, but Kerr declined to tell reporters what the conversation was like between he and the player. Kerr made sure to note that Kuminga’s situation, as a young player looking for a better role, is not uncommon.
“It’s tough being a young player in the league … One thing I tell all our young guys is that the vast majority of players in this league end up playing for multiple teams, and a big part of this league is finding the right situation and making that connection,” Kerr said, later adding, “It’s an interesting journey, and everyone has their own journey.”
Green echoed his coach when asked about Kuminga. He marveled at the fact that both he and Curry have been able to remain in the same place for over a decade.
It is a fate that, unless both primary parties involved suddenly have a drastic change of heart, that Kuminga will not share with his veteran teammates.