Jimmy Butler stressed that Jonathan Kuminga is like a brother to him, saying their bond goes far beyond basketball and won't change regardless of rotations, trades, or uncertainty about his future.
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga was available for Saturday's game against the Utah Jazz but never stepped onto the court.
Jonathan Kuminga
Jonathan Kuminga
Jonathan Kuminga
MIN: 24.75
PTS: 11.78 (50.21%)
REB: 6.17
As: 2.56
ST: 0.28
BL: 0.33
TO: 2.44
GM: 18
Kuminga also missed Friday's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder due to back soreness, and his role has been limited for some time now. Since the beginning of December, he has appeared in just four games, averaging 17.0 minutes per contest.
Warriors wing Jimmy Butler was recently asked about Kuminga, who has been largely out of the rotation, and how the situation has affected him.
"He'd better come to my house tonight, eat dinner, play some Uno, and some dominoes," Butler said after a 123-114 win on Saturday. "That's my brother, like, my brother and him, so I couldn't care less if he's out of the rotation. We hang out.
"That's my friend, that's my brother, and that's not gonna change," Butler added. "Basketball is basketball. But I love him like a brother, and I wish him the best, and I still see him in here getting his work in, so his mind's right."
Credit IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect - Scanpix
Kuminga's future with the Warriors is expected to come into focus over the next month. He becomes trade-eligible on Jan. 15, and Golden State is widely expected to explore the trade market in the weeks ahead.
Butler made it clear that any potential roster decisions won't affect their relationship.
"That don't got nothing to do with me, 'cause I'm still gonna call and check in on him, still gonna go visit him," Butler noted. "I'm still gonna go to his house, eat his food, play with his kids. His future, that's between him and whoever else, but the bond and the brotherhood that we've built, ain't no future gonna ever change if that's my guy."
When asked if the uncertainty might be weighing on Kuminga, Butler didn't hesitate.
"Nope, not at all," he said. "I tell JK, you're the pro of all pros. Come here, get your work done, you smile, you have a good time because you're still an NBA player. You're one of the best people in the world, and I'm not even talking about basketball, so you keep smiling. You keep being the great human being that you are."
This season, Kuminga is averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists over 18 contests (13 starts) and 24.8 minutes per game. He is in his fifth season with the Warriors.
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