NBA Trade Rumors: Warriors Execs ‘Infatuated’ with Jonathan Kuminga amid Siakam Buzz

Tyler Conway@@jtylerconwayFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 9, 2024

Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

Jonathan Kuminga may not love his inconsistent role in Golden State, but he reportedly still has plenty of fans in the Warriors front office.

“There are higher ups in this organization who are infatuated with Kuminga and are not ready to part with him,” ESPN’s Kendra Andrews said on The Lowe Post (28:20 mark).

The Warriors have been mentioned as a potential suitor for Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, with Kuminga being viewed as a centerpiece of a deal. However, Michael Grange of SportsNet reported Golden State has been steadfast in its desire to hold onto the 21-year-old forward.

Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic previously reported Kuminga has “lost faith” in Warriors coach Steve Kerr amid frustrations with his inconsistent role. Kerr and Kuminga met privately ahead of Friday’s game against the Detroit Pistons, seemingly coming to an understanding in the process.

“I never complained about playing time or things like that,” Kuminga told reporters Friday. “We were just talking about if I do great at something, I should just go back and remind him and let him know, ‘Coach, what do I need to get better at?’ It’s more about communication and better understanding from both of us.”

Kerr played Kuminga a season-high 36 minutes against Detroit but scaled his minutes back to 25 in Sunday’s loss to the Raptors. The loss to Toronto knocked Golden State all the way down to the No. 12 seed in the Western Conference, which has led to a little bit of panic among the championship-hopeful fans.

The impending return of Draymond Green should help stabilize things on both ends of the floor, particularly with the Warriors needing a playmaker in wake of Chris Paul suffering a hand fracture that will keep him out for at least the next month.

Kuminga’s playing time will be worth monitoring given Green’s return provides another forward for Kerr’s rotation. While the roles Green and Kuminga play are different within the flow of the offense, the former’s return will lead to the latter having the ball in his hands less often.

The Raptors, meanwhile, are on the verge of a full-scale rebuild but may have overplayed their hand over the last couple of years. They already watched Fred VanVleet walk to Houston without compensation last summer, and Siakam’s trade value is at its lowest in recent memory as his own free agency awaits in July.