Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
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Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
With less than a month until the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline, the Golden State Warriors are expected to seek out viable trade opportunities involving Jonathan Kuminga.
However, legendary NBA point guard Isiah Thomas believes that Kuminga’s teammates should be fighting his corner more, especially if they believe he can make a positive impact.
“I think when the best player — and I can only speak for myself — when you have power you have to use your power to help your teammates,” Thomas said via FanDuel TV’s ‘Run It Back’. “You have to use your power to help the team get better. And this is the question that I think all of us are asking right now. Okay, do the players think that he can help them win? Because right now the coach is saying this guy can’t help us.”
Thomas continued.
“…If they’re not aligned with it, then they need to be vocal in support of their players. I’m always sticking up for the player and if the player is right and the coach is wrong, I’m calling it out. I’m not one to sit there and just be silent. And you know, when you say we’re giving Kuminga credit for being classy and professional, has being classy and professional hurt his basketball career?”
Kuminga has struggled to earn a consistent role under Kerr since being drafted with the 7th pick in the 2021 NBA draft.
Warriors’ Yet To Make Inroads In Trade Talks
According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, the Warriors are yet to make any progress regarding a potential Kuminga trade.
“One month prior to the trade deadline and eight days before Jonathan Kuminga becomes trade-eligible, the Warriors have not made substantial movement towards getting a Kuminga trade in place,” Slater wrote. “Team sources have said in recent days that they’d be willing to keep Kuminga past the deadline if nothing appealing enough materializes.”
Kuminga hasn’t suited up for the Warriors since December 18. He was a key part of the rotation to begin the season. However, Kerr has once again opted against leaning into Kuminga’s skill set, either off the bench or as part of the starting unit.
Kuminga’s Trade Value Could Be Declining
During a Jan. 7 appearance on ESPN’s NBA Today, Slater noted that Kuminga’s exclusion from the Warriors rotation has likely seen his trade value dwindle.
“Rival executives are seeing what we’re all seeing,” Slater said on NBA Today. “Which is a 23-year-old young wing buried on the bench as the deadline approaches in a win-now time for the Warriors. And they’re saying ‘value must be going down on Jonathan Kuminga.’ What was available in the summer is lessening.”
There’s no denying that Kuminga is a high-level young talent. If given the opportunity, he could potentially develop into an All-Stat. It’s clear that it won’t happen in Golden State. However, the Warriors have been clear that any trade must make sense for their own roster needs, too.
With less than a month to find a suitable deal, all eyes will be on the Warriors in the coming weeks.