Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors are not on the same page. That has become clearer with each passing week.
Things have gone downhill since Kuminga signed his new contract in September. He agreed to a 2 year deal worth $48.5 million. At the time, it was supposed to bring stability. Instead, his role has disappeared.
Kuminga is no longer part of Steve Kerr’s rotation. His last game came on December 18. He played just 10 minutes in a loss to the Suns. Since then, he has not seen the floor.
Trade rumors have followed him for months. Around the league, the belief was simple. Once Kuminga became trade eligible on January 15, the Warriors would move him quickly.
The idea was to flip him for an All Star level wing. Someone who could help Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green right now.
That plan may be changing.
According to ESPN, the Warriors are now open to keeping Kuminga for the rest of the season. If no deal feels good enough, they are willing to hold on to him.
Sacramento is still interested. That has not changed. But Golden State does not seem desperate to make a move.
Some around the league think this is a tactic. The Warriors may be trying to push the Kings into offering more. Kuminga is making $22.5 million. That contract is not small. And right now, he has no clear role on the team.
Keeping him comes with risk.
Golden State is barely above .500 at 19 and 18. Their offense has struggled all season. They rank near the bottom of the league. They are closer to missing the playoffs than contending for a top seed.
Letting a talented 23 year old sit unused does not help in the short term. It also does not help his value.
Still, the Warriors are standing firm. For now.
Whether this ends in a trade or an uneasy finish to the season remains to be seen. But the tension between Kuminga and the Warriors is very real.
