Jonathan Kuminga stopped short of wanting to leave the Golden State Warriors despite a disagreement with head coach Steve Kerr over his use earlier this season.
Kuminga told ESPN's Kendra Andrews that he has never considered requesting a trade before the Feb. 8 deadline and wants to remain with the Warriors.
Kuminga was on the bench for the final 18 minutes after Golden State lost to the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 4, but The Athletic's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported that the 21-year-old had “lost trust” in Kerr. “It was reported.'' He didn't believe his head coach would let him reach his full potential.
Carr mentioned the report and Kuminga's complaint at a press conference on January 5, but did not elaborate on its content.
Andrews noted that Kuminga has been regularly stopping by Kerr's office over the past two months and bringing his family to spend time with the Warriors.
“When you get to know someone well, there's a natural level of trust that develops,” Kerr told Andrews about his relationship with Kuminga.
Things certainly seem to have gone smoothly for everyone involved. Kerr has agreed to a two-year, $35 million contract extension with the Warriors, keeping him with the club through the 2025-26 season and making him the NBA's highest-paid coach by average annual salary.
In the 32 games since the loss to the Nuggets, Kuminga has established himself as an essential piece for the Warriors. During this span, he averaged 19.8 points, 54.6 percent shooting, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.
Kuminga's rookie contract runs through the 2025-26 season, but he is eligible for an extension this summer.There is a certain idea Jaden McDaniels could be signed within the scope of the five-year, $131 million extension he signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves last offseason.
Judging by the way Kuminga is playing, he will be a key member of the Warriors' roster going forward. He's also an excellent young player for a team looking to find a long-term star who could eventually replace Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, all of whom are in their mid-30s.
