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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 25: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors warms up prior to the start of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center on December 25, 2024 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Sunday afternoon featured the Atlanta Hawks fan base mocking the Golden State Warriors via a creative chant. Atlanta received a third straight strong performance from Jonathan Kuminga after acquiring the young prospect from the Warriors. Head coach Steve Kerr couldn’t get on the same page with Kuminga, and it reached a point where Golden State had to trade the disgruntled talent at the deadline.
Hawks’ fans serenaded Kuminga with “thank you, Warriors” chants when he was shooting free throws.
Kuminga delivered 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 25 minutes of action. Three games so far see impressive averages of 21.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists for Kuminga. Atlanta fans are already excited about Kuminga appearing to be a strong part of the future moving forward.
Jalen Johnson is the only certain star on the Hawks’ roster, so Kuminga will have an opportunity to become part of the team’s long-term future. Johnson returned from an injury today, and Kuminga was still able to deliver a big game. A strong end to the rest of the season could see Kuminga proving his consistency ahead of next season.
Warriors Already Losing The Kuminga Trade
Golden State traded Kuminga to Atlanta in exchange for center Kristaps Porzingis in hopes of improving their starting lineup. Porzingis was meant to make up for the weak center play and provide more size for the Warriors. Unfortunately, an illness has kept Porzingis out of four of the five games so far since moving to Golden State.
Only one game for Porzingis saw him barely making an impact in just 17 minutes of action. Kuminga is younger and has a higher upside than Porzingis moving forward to show why it was a risky trade for the Warriors. Porzingis already missing too many games is making this trade look one-sided.
The Hawks believe they will have a piece for the future if they can properly develop Kuminga after years of inconsistent play in Golden State. Porzingis’ questionable future and only offering help for this season is already showing the Warriors losing the Kuminga trade after just a few weeks.
Steve Kerr Getting Blamed For Mistake
Teams trading away a younger player for a veteran are typically looking to win now. However, the Warriors continue to remain an afterthought as one of the play-in Western Conference teams failing to move up into the top six guaranteed seeds.
Stephen Curry remains out with an injury, and Jimmy Butler is not expected back until the middle of next season. Golden State badly needs Porzingis to play like he did with the Boston Celtics at his best a couple of seasons ago to have any chance of success this season.
The failed start is putting more pressure and scrutiny on Kerr for not giving Kuminga a fair chance. Both sides couldn’t gel and figure out the best way to make the situation work. The Warriors unfortunately traded Kuminga at his lowest value and received a player they can’t even trust to play games. Atlanta’s fans trolling Golden State puts more attention on Kerr for being the reason Kuminga was traded.