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Warriors Weigh Jonathan Kuminga’s Future as Bench Move, Knee Injury and Trade Clock Converge

Heightened accountability from Steve Kerr plus veteran mentorship seeks to stabilize his role before any trade decisions.

Overview

  • Kuminga was moved to the bench for the Nov. 12 win over the Spurs, then missed the next four games with knee tendonitis as Golden State went 2-2 on the road.
  • A team source told ESPN he “feels like the scapegoat again,” reflecting lingering tension over his role after an early-season dip in shooting and a rise in turnovers.
  • He signed a two-year deal with a team option that cannot be traded until Jan. 15, a date executives view as the practical start of any market exploration.
  • Offseason sign-and-trade talks involved the Kings and Suns, with reported Bucks interest, and a veteran NBA executive now calls his contract one of the league’s better trade chips.
  • Kuminga asked Kerr to coach him harder, and both Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green are mentoring him as the Warriors plan an intentional reintegration during a homestand.