Jonathan Kuminga
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Jonathan Kuminga could see more minutes with the Golden State Warriors after Jimmy Butler's season-ending injury.
What’s that saying about best-laid plans? Oh, that’s right, they often go awry due to unforeseen circumstances. Just ask theGolden State Warriors.
Their hopes of contending for a championship this year basically evaporated in an instant on Monday, January 19 whenJimmy Butler went down with aseason-ending knee injury. Without the 1A toStephen Curry, and not enough draft capital to acquire another one before the February 5 trade deadline, Golden State has one possible lifeline left to save its season.
TheJonathan Kuminga conundrum has plagued the organization since the summer, but in a new column,The Athletic’s Sam Amick thinks the forward has an opportunity to “prove his worth” ahead of the trade deadline in the wake of the Butler injury. It would allow the Warriors to get him off their roster while maximizing his return in a deal.
How Does Jimmy Butler’s Injury Affect Jonathan Kuminga?
Kuminga has not played since December 18 against thePhoenix Suns as a standoff between him, the organization and head coach Steve Kerr continues.According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the relationship is “fractured beyond repair.”
But now, with Butler out of the rotation, Kerr could be forced to utilize Kuminga, and he said as much after the Warriors’ 135-112 win over theMiami Heat on Monday.
“Sure. Absolutely,”said Kerr, when asked if he could go to Kuminga in the coming weeks.
Playing Kuminga extended minutes right now could benefit both him and the organization. Considering the forward hasn’t seen the floor in a month, Golden State reportedly hasn’t gotten many calls about him, even after he publicly demanded a trade when he first became eligible on January 15. Kuminga needs to reestablish his value in order to force his way out of Golden State and allow the Warriors to acquire a player who can help patch the Butler-sized hole on their roster.
“If nothing else, Kuminga should be motivated by the fact that his value is not what he or his agent, Aaron Turner, believed it to be. All indications are that the Sacramento Kings remain the only legitimate suitor for his services, and they lowered their offer recently (refusing to include a protected first-round pick) because of the Warriors’ sordid state of affairs,” Amick wrote. “Here’s an idea to pass the time: Kuminga, who has every right to be frustrated by the way in which his Warriors situation has evolved, should compartmentalize all of that angst and prove his worth to the league in these coming weeks.”
Golden State Warriors Trade Rumors
On Tuesday, Charania linked the Warriors toDeMar DeRozan, whom theSacramento Kings have beenactively shopping. The forward is averaging19.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists while shooting 50.7% from the field and a career-high 36.3% from three this season.
Golden State could also use another big man and outside shooting, and theDallas Mavericks are a team that can provide them with both in a deal. In arecent trade proposal, the Warriors send Kuminga andBuddy Hield to the Mavericks in exchange forDaniel Gafford andKlay Thompson, who would reunite with Curry.