Steve Kerr candidly addressed the tough situation of Jonathan Kuminga and the NBA's brutal business side.
Steve Kerr can only sympathize with what Jonathan Kuminga is currently feeling amid the ongoing trade speculations surrounding him.
Appearing on the Tom Tolbert Show, the Golden State Warriors coach opened up about Kuminga's rumored uncertain situation within the franchise.
"Everybody wants honesty," Kerr said. "They don't want to be pandered to. They want to know what's what but you have to deliver those messages with some empathy. It's a tough spot to be in. He's got two little girls at home and he's been here five years.
"And Andrew Wiggins was in this exact boat a year ago, and Wigs actually was about to have his third child right at the trade deadline and his name was floating out there and we kind of go through this every year, but there's always like a player or two who become the focal point of the trade deadline.
After obtaining his first DNP of the season earlier this month, Kuminga instantly reappeared on the league's trade rumor mill.
The young forward didn't play in the next two games and only joined the Warriors' rotation in the team's Thursday loss against the Phoenix Suns, scoring two points in 1-5 shooting and grabbing 4 rebounds across 10 minutes.
Many await what might about to unfold beyond Jan. 15, as Kuminga will finally be trade-eligible after signing a two-year, $46.8 million contract last September with the Warriors.
While he understands the emotional impact of speculation, Kerr insisted that the league will always be a business—something Kuminga must also embrace.
"I always just try to talk to the guys about the business and this is how it works and how few players in NBA history played for one franchise, and it's all part of the deal that you sign up for," Kerr added. "But it doesn't make it any easier when you feel like you're being shipped off and you got to pack up your family and go.
"It's hard and I just think it's important to acknowledge that to the players and try to understand that part of the business."
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