Kerr insisted that the Kuminga trade demand won't be a "distraction" in the wake of recent rumors and reports.
Steve Kerr set the record straight about his relationship with Jonathan Kuminga as the Golden State Warriors forward has demanded a trade.
Golden State Warriors / Schedule
“Our relationship is fine, and there’s not a whole lot I can say about the other stuff,” Kerr said before the Warriors' Thursday game against the New York Knicks. “It is what it is. It's a difficult situation for everybody. Part of this league and part of this job. We just keep moving forward.
"It's a tough situation."
As the calendar hits the Jan. 15 date, the now trade-eligible Kuminga reportedly sought a deal to leave the Warriors. A significant detail behind this news has been his already fractured relationship with Kerr.
It's been widely believed that their relationship is beyond repair, as Kuminga has been subjected to DNPs for most of the Warriors' season under Kerr.
After starting in the first 12 games of the season, Kuminga finds himself buried on the Warriors' bench. He didn't play in the team's last 13 games, and his last appearance was on Dec. 18 via a 10-minute exposure in a loss against the Phoenix Suns.
In his pregame speech, Kerr continued to downplay inquiries about reports of Kuminga's trade request. He revealed that he talked to Kuminga earlier and expects to continue coaching him, regardless of what might happen until the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
“It won’t be a distraction,” Kerr said. “Jonathan is a great young guy, his teammates like him, and he’s handling himself well. There won’t be a distraction.”
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