NBA Rumors: Jonathan Kuminga Benched for Warriors vs. Pelicans amid Contract Year

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIOctober 30, 2024

Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

The Golden State Warriors are moving forward Jonathan Kuminga to the bench Tuesday against the New Orleans Pelicans, per ESPN’s Shams Charania and Kendra Andrews.

Charania also offered some more context alongside the move:

Shams Charania @ShamsCharaniaThe Warriors are moving F Jonathan Kuminga to bench tonight vs. Pelicans, sources tell me and @kendra__andrews. Intriguing development in a fourth season when no extension was complete for both sides and team has discussed setting him up to take the next step. pic.twitter.com/RxYOq3nuuj

Kuminga is entering the final year of his contract and will enter restricted free agency in 2025.

Danny Emerman of Bay Area News Group got word from the 22-year-old in response to the move. He apparently hadn’t heard yet from head coach Steve Kerr before adding more remarks.

Danny Emerman @DannyEmerman…I’m not the coach, it’s his decision.”

This isn’t the first time Kuminga has had some issues behind a benching. Taylor Wirth of NBC Sports Bay Area provided insight last February:

“Kuminga was benched for the remaining 18 minutes of the Warriors’ 130-127 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 4 at Chase Center after scoring 16 points in 18:57 on the court, a decision that didn’t sit well with Golden State fans and the former lottery pick alike.

“The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported the following day that Kuminga had “lost faith” in Kerr and that his benching against the Nuggets was “the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

“Sensing his young star’s growing frustration, Kerr invited Kuminga into his office for a chat later that week, Yahoo! Sports’ Jake Fischer reported in his latest feature story.”

It’s been a rough three-game start for Kuminga, who has averaged just 8.0 points on 33.3 percent shooting in 19.7 minutes.

Kerr doesn’t seem concerned about the start, though.

Warriors on NBCS @NBCSWarriorsSteve Kerr spoke before tonight’s game about Jonathan Kuminga’s play during the Warriors’ first three contests pic.twitter.com/EjOd7ZVGwp

Last year, Kuminga enjoyed a good season with 16.1 points on 52.9 percent shooting and 4.8 rebounds in 26.3 minutes per game. So obviously, he’s capable of better play. And as Kerr said, three games is a small sample size.

But still, it appears there is some sort of issue, given the way Kuminga reacted and the apparent lack of communication on the matter. Golden State of Mind had this to say:

Golden State of Mind @unstoppablebabyKuminga has to be OK with his role changing, but the Warriors also have got to communicate with their players before they communicate with the media. https://t.co/pqqNSn4Mqi

The decision to bench Kuminga is also an interesting one considering the Warriors were shorthanded going into the night sans Stephen Curry, De’Anthony Melton and Andrew Wiggins due to injury.

The Warriors started Curry, Wiggins, Kuminga, Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis for the first three games. This is who the team decided to roll with against the Pels:

Golden State Warriors @warriorsFirst 5⃣ pic.twitter.com/HknIG8TkKh

Golden State started the season 2-1, with wins against the Portland Trail Blazers (140-104) and Utah Jazz (127-86) and a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers (112-104).