Simply while you thought that the Golden State Warriors and former lottery choose Jonathan Kuminga had been starting to gel, issues abruptly seem like headed south quick. Kuminga and the Warriors obtained off to a powerful begin, with many praising Kuminga for his defensive play and his enchancment as a passer.
Nonetheless, the Warriors rapidly cooled off, and so did Kuminga. He had hassle with turnovers and reverted again to a few of his irritating flaws. That resulted in him being benched in favor of a brand new beginning lineup that prioritizes spacing round Steph Curry.
That clearly rubbed Kuminga the incorrect approach, and Warriors insider Anthony Slater just lately talked about that Kuminga “feels just like the scapegoat once more.”
He’s at present out of the lineup as he recovers from tendonitis, although his feedback and his declining play will not construct properly for him when he returns. He merely hasn’t been in a position to persistently match into what the Warriors and Coach Steve Kerr wish to do.
Worse but, he has been outspoken about his function, or lack thereof, on the staff earlier than. That makes the Warriors’ looming determination relating to Kuminga a lot simpler.
The Warriors should lastly commerce Jonathan Kuminga
Plainly he has been on the commerce block on and off for years now, however the Warriors should lastly pull the set off and commerce Kuminga whereas they nonetheless can. It is clear that he does not have a future with Golden State, and the Warriors clearly do not worth him all that a lot.
Consequently, they need to commerce him come January 15, 2026 (the earliest day he could be traded), and simply be accomplished with it. They should not wait till the February commerce deadline to take action, with them needing assist now and it being an nearly forgotten conclusion that he can be moved.
Contemplating that the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns had been each focused on him this previous low season, they might look to gauge their commerce curiosity in hopes of discovering a deal that fits either side. Of the 2 groups, the Kings seem like probably the most determined and are frankly probably the most poorly run staff within the NBA.
That makes the Kings a seemingly excellent commerce associate and raises the hopes that the Warriors might extract a juicy first-round choose in alternate for transport Kuminga to an in-state rival.
That could possibly be for the perfect for all sides, with the Warriors lastly transferring on from him, the Kings getting a participant who might hopefully turn into one thing, and Kuminga getting a contemporary begin with a brand new staff. Let’s simply hope it occurs sooner moderately than later.
